Blowtorch Burglars Steal Nearly $1 Million in Jewelry from Encino Store

Brazen Jewelry Store Heist

• 💎 A family-owned jewelry store in Encino was devastated by a blowtorch burglary early Monday morning.
• 💨 Thieves used a blowtorch to break into not one, but two safes, causing extensive smoke damage.
• 💰 The suspects made off with close to $1 million worth of merchandise.

Method of Entry and Execution

• 🚪 The burglars gained access by cutting a hole into the jewelry mart from a vacant business next door.
• 👥 Surveillance video shows at least four thieves crawling through the opening.
• 🔌 The thieves disabled the alarm system by pulling it off the wall.
• ⏳ The entire operation, from entry to escape, took approximately an hour to an hour and a half.

Impact on Business Owners

• 💔 The owners, who had spent 42 years building the business, are completely devastated by the enormous loss.
• 📉 Everything they had saved and built was gone overnight.

Pattern of Similar Crimes

• 🚨 This incident is similar to a robbery in Glendale last week, where thieves also used a blowtorch to break into a roof and a safe.
• 🔍 Authorities are investigating whether these crimes are connected.