Federal prosecutors have charged seven individuals in connection with what authorities describe as the largest jewelry heist ever recorded in the United States, an audacious theft that involved shadowing a Brinks armored truck for hundreds of miles before making off with approximately $100 million in precious cargo.

The heist occurred in July 2022 at a rest stop in California, where the truck had halted while transporting gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and luxury watches from a prominent international jewelry exhibition in San Mateo. Authorities say the suspects meticulously planned and executed the theft, tailing the vehicle for over 300 miles before striking.

Now, nearly three years later, indictments have been handed down to Carlos Victor Mestanza Cercado, Jazael Padilla Resto, Pablo Raul Lugo Larroig, Victor Hugo Valencia Solorzano, Jorge Enrique Alban, Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, and Eduardo Macias Ibarra. The individuals, ranging in age from 31 to 60, face multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit theft from interstate and foreign shipments, interference with commerce by robbery under the Hobbs Act, and additional counts related to interstate theft.

The elaborate operation, as detailed in court filings, began when some of the defendants were seen scouting the Brinks vehicle as it departed the jewelry event on June 11, 2022. Law enforcement alleges the group maintained visual contact with the truck throughout its route until it paused at a Southern California rest stop—where they struck with precision and speed, emptying the vehicle of its high-value contents.

Prosecutors further allege this wasn’t an isolated event. In the months preceding the historic robbery, some of the defendants were also tied to additional thefts, including the stealing of Samsung electronics worth over $240,000 and Apple AirTags valued at more than $57,000. Another heist in late May 2022 reportedly netted over $14,000 in stolen merchandise from a shipment in Fontana.

The investigation was described by officials as a multi-year, multi-agency effort. The FBI’s Los Angeles field office, along with local departments in Fontana and Ontario, collaborated to track down the perpetrators. Earlier this week, authorities executed search warrants, recovering portions of the stolen jewelry.

“This case represents years of careful and coordinated work,” said a senior FBI official involved in the operation. “We are committed to seeing justice served for the victims of this massive crime.”