Three years after what may be the largest jewel theft in US history, authorities have identified seven suspects. Two of them have been arrested. Gold, diamonds and luxury watches worth $100 million (about €87 million) were stolen in the theft.
In California, seven men have been charged with the massive jewel theft in July 2022. The perpetrators removed 24 bags of luxury items from a truck that had returned from a jewelry show near San Francisco.
The loot was worth $100 million. That would make it one of the largest jewel thefts in American history. Some media, such as the British broadcaster BBC News, even speak of the largest ever.
Two of the seven suspects have been arrested and were due to appear in court on Tuesday, writes news agency AP. Four suspects are still at large. The seventh suspect is in prison in Arizona for another crime.
The 2022 theft captures the imagination. The suspects allegedly followed the truck with the valuable cargo for almost 500 kilometers until the driver took a break at a roadside restaurant. One of the two drivers took a nap there, while the other was in the restaurant for half an hour.
At that moment, the thieves struck. Images from officers’ body cameras show them discovering that the thieves have made off with the millions in loot. Among others, ABC News shares the images. Meanwhile, some of the stolen jewelry and watches have been recovered.