police mark the perimeter of a crime scene as investigators work the scene of an officer-involved shooting September 9, 2012. (Photo for USA Today by Brett T. Roseman) 9/10/12 12:19:01 AM -- Chicago , IL -- THIS IS FOR A 1A COVER Chicago enduring a plague of homicides It seems to happen almost every weekend in President Obama's home town. Gunfire erupts, and young men die. While homicide rates in most major cities are flat or declining, Chicago is enduring an epidemic. A toxic mix of gangs, drugs and guns is responsible. On one recent weekend, there were nine shooting deaths and 28 more people wounded. On a recent Thursday, 13 people were shot and wounded in a 30-minute spate of violence, including eight gunned down on a single street. The police superintendent says some of the shootings were retaliation for crimes committed as long as a year ago. Mayor Emanuel Rahm says the ?culture of silence? is part of the problem. Police have suspended almost 80% of their investigations into non-fatal shootings because suspects won?t cooperate. Besides the experts and community activists and people like Rudy Giuliani, who really did turn things around in NYC, we'll talk to pastors and others who live and work in the most-affected neighborhoods. Recently there was a rash of shootings in a neighborhood called South Shore. It?s poor and mostly black, as are all the neighborhoods that are hardest hit. Cops call the area ?terror town? and say it?s a hotbed of gang violence. -- Photo by Brett T. Roseman, Freelance ORG XMIT: BR 42369 Chicago murder c 9/10/2 (Via OlyDrop) Xxx Chicago Murder Capital07 Jpg Il
Los Angeles, California – Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging seven men from the Los Angeles area in connection with what officials are calling the largest jewelry heist in United States history — a calculated and audacious crime that saw an estimated $100 million in gems, gold, and luxury watches vanish from an armored truck under cover of night.
According to the indictment, the heist occurred on July 11, 2022, at the Flying J Travel Center in Lebec, California, a remote truck stop off Interstate 5. The suspects allegedly targeted a Brink’s tractor-trailer that had been transporting 73 bags of valuable merchandise from a jewelry show in San Mateo to a trade event in Pasadena. When the truck’s driver stopped for food, the men allegedly pried open the trailer and stole 24 of those bags in just 27 minutes.
The seven defendants — 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 — are all Southern California residents, ranging in age from 31 to 60. The men now face federal charges including conspiracy to commit theft from interstate shipment, theft itself, and, for several of them, additional robbery-related charges that could carry sentences of up to 20 years.
Prosecutors allege the men were not amateurs. The indictment connects the group to a series of earlier thefts across San Bernardino County involving high-value electronics like Samsung shipments and Apple AirTags — in some cases, stolen with threats of violence. Those smaller heists, authorities argue, laid the groundwork for the more complex and lucrative Brink’s operation.
Planning for the jewelry theft allegedly began at the International Gem and Jewelry Show in San Mateo on July 8, where Padilla is accused of scouting vendors and their merchandise. By July 10, several members of the group were allegedly tailing the Brink’s truck as it traveled south through California.
While some of the stolen goods have reportedly been recovered through recent search warrants, authorities have not disclosed the total value of the items retrieved, and much of the haul remains unaccounted for.
Beyond the criminal indictment, the heist has sparked an ongoing legal battle between Brink’s and the jewelers whose merchandise was stolen. The armored transport company claims liability is limited to $8.7 million, based on declared shipping values. The jewelers, some of whom say they under-reported values to cut costs, are suing for far more, accusing Brink’s of gross negligence.
