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The seven defendants are accused of stealing over $1 million in jewelry

LOS ANGELES – Seven members of a South American crime ring were charged with burglarizing two jewelry stores, stealing over $1 million in jewelry from a Glendale shop and disabling 911 and internet service to more than a million homes and hospitals during a La Verne break-in.

“To those involved in organized crime targeting businesses in Los Angeles County: No matter how carefully planned your crimes may be, you will be identified, apprehended, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “Not only do these reckless crimes threaten livelihoods and instill fear in communities, but attempts to avoid detection by disabling emergency services put millions of lives at risk. This will not be tolerated under my watch.”

Jose Millafil (dob 2/25/95), Luka Pazitiani (dob 3/27/98), Javier Sepulveda (dob 2/8/01), Matias Vera (dob 5/22/91), Victor Iturriagalopez (dob 6/9/05), Edson Gonzalez (dob 4/19/92), and Cristian Gonzalezaburto (3/8/95) are charged with multiple felonies for burglarizing two jewelry stores and causing extensive infrastructure damage.

On May 26, the defendants allegedly burglarized Bidrussian Jewelry in the city of Glendale, cutting a hole through the roof of the store and stealing jewelry valued at over $1 million.

On June 29, the defendants allegedly burglarized Rodeo Jewelry in the city of La Verne by attempting to gain entry through the roof, using signal jammers and cutting utility lines and fiber optic cables to the location. Four defendants were arrested on the roof, and three others were arrested after fleeing the scene in separate cars. The defendants were apprehended by the Glendale police with the assistance of the La Verne, Claremont, and Glendora police departments, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station.

“This case demonstrates the strength and skill of law enforcement across the county, as police departments from four cities and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department worked together to apprehend the suspects,” said District Attorney Hochman. 

Each defendant is charged in case 25GDCF00280 with eight felonies:

Bidrussian Jewelry

• One count of grand theft ($1 million)
• One count of second-degree commercial burglary
• One count of vandalism

Rodeo Jewelry

• One count of attempted grand theft
• One count of second-degree commercial burglary
• One count of vandalism of a fiber optic cable
• One count of cutting a utility line
• One count of vandalism

The defendants were arraigned yesterday and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Court set bail at $2 million as requested by prosecutors. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for August 28 in Department 1 of the Burbank Courthouse.

If convicted as charged, the defendants each face 13 years and eight months in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Catherine Chon of the Organized Crime Division and remains under investigation by the Glendale Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Glendale Police Department’s Burglary Unit at (818) 548-3127.

Photograph of cell phone jammers provided by the Glendale Police Department:

The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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