Burglars who targeted an El Monte jewelry store overnight last weekend made off with an estimated $1.5 million in gold and diamond jewelry after cutting through the roof and dismantling security systems, according to store owners and police. The El Monte jewelry burglary occurred between late Saturday, June 28, and early Sunday morning, June 29, at Meza’s Jewelry, a long-established business located on Main Street.

According to store co-owner Rosanna Meza, the intruders used power tools to cut through the roof before disabling internet connections, alarms, and surveillance cameras. The elaborate operation allowed the thieves to spend several hours inside the business without alerting authorities.

Burglars Use Sophisticated Tactics

Video captured by neighboring businesses showed the suspects entering the premises under cover of darkness and leaving shortly before dawn. At about 9 p.m., the store’s alarm briefly activated, but the burglars had already begun severing security connections. By 5:40 a.m., the group had pried open safes and loaded valuables into waiting containers.

“This was our life. This was our dream,” Meza said in an interview with CBS Los Angeles. “They took everything from us.”

Meza described the burglars as “professionals” who methodically planned the break-in. Investigators from the El Monte Police Department are reviewing video evidence and have asked neighboring businesses to share any additional footage. No arrests had been announced as of Tuesday.

Family Previously Thwarted Smash and Grab

The Meza family has operated the jewelry store for years and faced other threats to their livelihood. In 2023, employees successfully repelled an attempted smash and grab when several individuals tried to break into display cases. Staff quickly locked down the shop, forcing the suspects to flee without taking merchandise.

That incident was part of a wider series of retail thefts targeting jewelers in Los Angeles County, but the family believed that security improvements would prevent further attacks. The latest burglary, by contrast, involved a prolonged and coordinated effort to disable every layer of protection.

Community Impact and Police Investigation

The El Monte jewelry burglary underscores a growing trend of highly organized crimes against independent jewelers across Southern California. In similar cases in Glendale, Encino, and Simi Valley, burglars have cut through walls or roofs to bypass alarms and safes.

El Monte Police Department detectives are leading the investigation and are urging anyone with information to contact the department’s tip line. Investigators believe the same crew may have targeted other businesses in the region.

For now, the Meza family is working to assess their losses and restore operations. Community members have shared messages of support on social media, pledging to help the business rebuild.

Residents concerned about suspicious activity near retail centers are encouraged to report information to the El Monte Police Department’s non-emergency number or submit tips online.

To learn more about supporting local businesses affected by retail theft, or to share information about this case, visit the El Monte Police Department’s website at www.ci.el-monte.ca.us.