Thieves Tunnel Through Wall to Break Into Sherman Oaks Jewelry Store

Despite no items being stolen, the store owner is fed up with the constant crime plaguing the area.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:52am

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A pair of suspected thieves tunneled through the wall of a Sherman Oaks jewelry store early Saturday morning, setting off the alarm but failing to steal anything. The store's owner says this is not the first time his family-run business has been targeted, and he has taken extensive measures to secure the safe, but the emotional toll of the repeated break-in attempts has been devastating.

Why it matters

The break-in is the latest in a string of burglaries and attempted break-ins plaguing the San Fernando Valley, prompting the Los Angeles mayor to order extra police patrols in the area. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges small businesses face with property crime and the emotional impact it can have on owners and their families.

The details

The thieves gained entry by tunneling through a shared wall with the business next door, crawling across the floor and smashing credit card machines before attempting to access the store's safe. The owner says he has reinforced the safe multiple times to prevent such break-ins, but the criminals have continued to target his family-run jewelry store, including a similar incident in 2023.

  • The break-in occurred early Saturday morning.
  • A previous break-in at the store happened in 2023.

The players

Neda Jewelry

A family-run jewelry store in Sherman Oaks that has been targeted by burglars multiple times.

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who ordered extra police patrols in the San Fernando Valley in response to the recent string of burglaries and attempted break-ins.

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What they’re saying

“We are afraid. We can't sleep. Night to morning, we watch the camera.”

— Neda Jewelry Owner

“I covered my safe like, three, four times with heavy metals to make sure this time, not easy to be cut.”

— Neda Jewelry Owner

“I lost my father. He passed away when I was 2. I started working when I was 6, and you got everything in one night from me. That's not fair.”

— Neda Jewelry Owner

What’s next

LAPD officers said the break-in is under investigation, along with a string of other attempted break-ins and burglaries in the San Fernando Valley.

The takeaway

The repeated targeting of small businesses like Neda Jewelry highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local retailers in the face of property crime. This incident underscores the need for increased security measures, community support, and effective law enforcement strategies to protect vulnerable small businesses and their owners.