Brazen Thief Steals $100K in Gems from LA Jewelry Store

Surveillance video captures suspect breaking in through the roof and making off with valuable jewels in under 10 minutes

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Surveillance footage shows a brazen thief breaking into a Los Angeles jewelry store, Nafiseh Jeweler, through the roof and stealing over $100,000 worth of gems, including special Middle Eastern coins, in less than 10 minutes. The store's co-owner, Touraj Nezafati, says this is the second time the shop has been burglarized in the last six months, and the family is now considering moving the store to Orange County or closing it permanently due to safety concerns.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing problem of brazen, organized retail crime in Los Angeles, where businesses are being repeatedly targeted by thieves who seem undeterred by security measures. The Nezafati family's experience also reflects the toll these crimes are taking on small business owners, who are left feeling unsafe and unsure about the future of their livelihoods.

The details

The thief broke into Nafiseh Jeweler around 2:30 a.m. on a Saturday, accessing the store through the roof. Surveillance video shows the suspect's uncovered face as he reaches into display cases and steals the valuable jewels, including special coins from the Middle East. Nezafati says the thief was familiar with the store's layout, as he knew to crawl to the end of the store where there was a second-floor drop, rather than jumping down directly. After the last burglary, the family had taken steps to make the store's vault 'safer', but this latest incident has left them feeling defeated and considering either moving the shop to Orange County or closing it permanently.

  • The break-in occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2026.
  • This was the second time the store has been burglarized in the last six months.

The players

Nafiseh Jeweler

A jewelry store located in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles that has been in business for 30 years.

Touraj Nezafati

The co-owner of Nafiseh Jeweler, who says the family is now considering moving the store to Orange County or closing it permanently due to safety concerns.

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What they’re saying

“The person just hammered in. Came inside from the roof, came down, but when you come down, you see an 18-foot drop.”

— Touraj Nezafati, Co-owner of Nafiseh Jeweler (Fox 11)

“It's time to go from LA. LA has changed. We're even scared to go outside from the jewelry store to home. We're always scared. What if we get robbed on the way? What if somebody puts a gun on our head and says, 'Go back to the store and open the safe?'”

— Touraj Nezafati, Co-owner of Nafiseh Jeweler (Fox 11)

What’s next

The family is exploring options to either relocate Nafiseh Jeweler to Orange County or close the store permanently due to the ongoing safety concerns.

The takeaway

This brazen jewelry store theft highlights the growing problem of organized retail crime in Los Angeles, which is taking a heavy toll on small business owners like the Nezafati family. Their experience reflects the difficult decisions many local merchants face as they struggle to protect their livelihoods amidst a climate of heightened insecurity and repeated victimization.