Thousands and thousands of dollars price of gems and jewellery had been stolen in an armored truck theft in Southern California, authorities stated Sunday. The Brink's truck was robbed within the early morning on July 11 close to Los Angeles, stated Dana Callahan, a spokeswoman for the safety firm.
The merchandise had been loaded onto the truck late on July 10 following an exhibit hosted by the Worldwide Gem and Jewellery Present in San Mateo, south of San Francisco, stated Brandy Swanson, the group's director. It was going to an occasion on the Pasadena Conference Middle simply northeast of Los Angeles, she stated.
Swanson stated between 25 and 30 baggage had been taken, containing an unknown variety of particular person items. She stated 18 victims had been reporting greater than $100 million in losses. Callahan stated it was lower than $10 million.
"In accordance with the data the shoppers offered to us earlier than they shipped their objects, the entire worth of the lacking objects is lower than $10 million," Brink's stated in an announcement. "We're working with regulation enforcement, and we are going to totally reimburse our prospects for the worth of their belongings that had been stolen, in accordance with the phrases of our contract."
Laura Eimiller, spokeswoman for the FBI in Los Angeles, stated the theft was within the desert metropolis of Lancaster in northern Los Angeles County. Eimiller stated the bureau was working with native authorities, however she couldn't instantly present extra info.
A dispatcher with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Division, which patrols Lancaster, did not have details about the investigation on Sunday.
Swanson stated distributors who journey between jewellery reveals usually underinsure their merchandise as a result of they can not afford to insure it totally.
"That is the place the discrepancy is available in. These are mom-and-pop operators," Swanson stated. "They're devastated. A few of these folks have misplaced their complete livelihoods."
One jeweler instructed CBS Los Angeles his enterprise was his life.
"That is how I stay. That is how I feed my youngsters," stated the person, who didn't wish to give his identify.
The Worldwide Gem and Jewellery present hosts about 45 reveals nationwide per 12 months, she stated.