A family-owned jewelry store in downtown Los Angeles, Love Jewels, was the target of a well-planned robbery when thieves dug a tunnel through the wall of an abandoned theater next door.
The robbery took place on Sunday, April 13, 2025, and was discovered when the owners arrived at the store the following morning.
The owners believe that the thieves spent weeks slowly digging the tunnel.
According to the owner’s son, they likely worked at night, slowly creating enough space to break through the wall and access the store.
Cameras Disabled, Alarms Never Triggered
Once inside, the thieves disabled both the security cameras and the alarm system, allowing them several hours to search the store and access the safes without detection.
According to NBC News, the owner’s son stated that the thieves likely had enough time to easily open both safes and clear them out, taking everything inside without triggering any alerts.
Millions Stolen, Store Lacks Insurance
The thieves stole a variety of valuable items, such as gold bars, watches, gold chains, and cash.
The owners estimated the total loss could be as high as $20 million (approx. S$26,113,338), though some early reports suggested it was closer to $10 million (approx. S$13,057,291).
Unfortunately, Love Jewels did not have any insurance, as the premiums were too expensive. All of the store’s capital was tied up in inventory, which was stored in the safes.
Police Investigation Underway
The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating the crime with authorities reviewing nearby security footage and collecting physical evidence to identify the thieves.
According to the Daily Mail, the burglars escaped through the same hole in the wall and drove off in a Chevy truck.
Community Support Amid Damage Repair
By Tuesday, April 15, workers were already repairing the damage caused by the break-in, including patching up the hole in the wall and restoring damaged display cabinets.
They also received outpouring support from the community trying to help with the loss.
Additionally, to aid in the investigation, the family has offered a $100,000 (approx. S$130,566) reward for tips that could lead to the capture of the thieves.
Watch the video here:
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