By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
Four members of a sophisticated burglary crew have pleaded guilty to felony charges related to a coordinated commercial burglary in Simi Valley that resulted in losses exceeding $2 million, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced.
The burglary occurred on May 25, 2025, and targeted 5-Star Jewelry and Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee Shop, located in the same shopping center.
Manuel David Ibarra, Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca and Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara each pleaded guilty in Ventura County Superior Court to felony counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. Ibarra and Mejía-Machuca also pleaded guilty to additional felony counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and vandalism connected to a separate burglary on May 23, 2025, at Simi Valley Pawn Brokers.
A fourth defendant, Trujillo, pleaded guilty to one felony count of conspiracy to possess stolen property for her role in the scheme.
All four defendants admitted special allegations, including excessive loss exceeding $1 million and theft or damage committed in concert with others. These enhancements were filed under Proposition 36, a voter-approved measure that increases penalties for organized and large-scale theft. The defendants also admitted an aggravating factor that the crimes involved a high level of planning, sophistication and professionalism.
“This was not a crime of opportunity,” District Attorney Nasarenko said in a statement. “These defendants planned carefully, conducted surveillance, and used specialized tools and techniques to carry out a highly sophisticated burglary that caused enormous financial harm. Their guilty pleas ensure accountability and reflect the strength of the evidence in this case.”
According to investigators, the conspiracy began in mid-May 2025 with detailed preparation and reconnaissance. On May 16, one defendant drove another to a Home Depot store, where rope was stolen for use in the planned burglary. On May 20, three defendants traveled in a white Volvo SUV to the shopping center housing both targeted businesses.
During that visit, two defendants conducted surveillance by observing the interior of 5-Star Jewelry through its front window. All three entered Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee Shop, where they assessed the placement of surveillance cameras and inspected the shared walls between the two businesses. Investigators said one suspect used a cell phone flashlight to examine the walls, another acted as a lookout, and a third mimicked the use of a spray can, suggesting plans to disable security systems.
On May 25, the defendants returned to the location in the same Volvo SUV, which contained a ladder and rope. One defendant placed the ladder against the exterior of Dr. Conkey’s and cut through the roof to gain entry. Inside the business, a surveillance camera was spray-painted, a safe was accessed, and cash was stolen.
The defendants then cut through a shared wall into 5-Star Jewelry, where they broke into a safe and stole jewelry, cash and silver. Authorities said the stolen property was later transported to a residence in Los Angeles County.
The investigation was conducted by the Simi Valley Police Department. All four defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 20, 2026, at 9 a.m. in courtroom 12 of the Ventura County Superior Court. They remain in custody on $100,000 bail and each faces more than four years in state prison.
