The Great Brinks Robbery: Seven Men Charged in $100 Million Jewelry Heist

Federal prosecutors have charged seven Southern California men in what is now being called the largest jewelry heist in U.S. history.

 The group is accused of stealing nearly $100 million in gold, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and luxury watches from a Brinks armored truck in July 2022.

The heist unfolded like a Hollywood thriller. After scouting an international jewelry show in San Mateo, California, the suspects allegedly tracked a Brinks truck carrying 73 bags of high-value merchandise. They followed it for over 300 miles to a rest stop in Lebec, a remote area north of Los Angeles. 

While the guards were away—one asleep, the other grabbing food—the crew struck, stealing 24 bags of jewelry in a matter of minutes without a single witness.

The suspects—ranging in age from 31 to 60—are also linked to a string of other cargo thefts, including Samsung electronics and Apple AirTags, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Prosecutors say the men used burner phones, deactivated them after the heist, and left few digital traces. Some of the stolen jewelry was recovered during recent search warrants, but much remains missing.

If convicted, several of the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for each robbery charge. The case has stunned the jewelry industry, with some victims—many elderly jewelers—reporting devastating financial losses.

This meticulously planned operation has drawn comparisons to cinematic capers, but for the victims and investigators, it’s a stark reminder of how real and costly such crimes can be.