Police: LA Gangs Involved In Jewelry Heists

 

More Than $1 Million In Stolen Jewelry On Display

 

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Beverly Hills police said Monday they believe Los Angeles street gangs may have been involved in as many as 20 jewelry store burglaries around the country. 

And some of that jewelry wound up in a Beverly Hills pawn shop, whose owners were arrested March 14, according to Lt. Mitch McCann of the Beverly Hills Police Department.

 

 McCann said jewelry found at the shop -- owned by Joel and Maritza Lopez -- was traced back to several heists of ritzy retailers in Palm Beach, Bal Harbour and Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The thieves were caught on tape in those break-ins, according to a televised report.

 Beverly Hills police worked on the case with the FBI, the Los Angeles Police Department and Florida authorities.

 

 The Lopezes may have also received jewelry stolen from more than 100 Westside residential burglaries over the past year, McCann said.

 

 Police will put more than $1 million in jewelry on public display at the police station at 464 N. Rexford Drive on Friday and Saturday. The viewing hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.