Thieves Pull off $1 Mil Jewelry Heist, Deputies Say

Thieves pulled off a heist at Laguna Hills jewelers this week, taking as much as $1 million in jewelry, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reported today.

Investigators were alerted to the crime at South Bay Jewelry Store on Monday, but the actual theft probably occurred between Saturday evening and Sunday morning, according to a department press release.

Employees of the store, at 24261 Avenida De La Carlota, indicate the burglars got away with more than 1,000 pieces of jewelry, which are estimated to be between $700,000 and $1 million in value, officials said. The loss included earrings, necklaces, rings and chains. 

“It appears the suspects made entry into the business by cutting a hole in the roof and took jewelry from inside two safes located inside a small room at the rear of the business,” the press release states.

“Initially it does not appear that the suspects took any of the lesser valued jewelry in the unlocked cases in the front of the store.”

Anyone with information who observed anything suspicious is asked to call the Orange County Sheriff’s Department South Investigations Unit at (949) 425-1900.  Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.