Arcadia Jewelry Store Burglarized After Thieves Tunnel Through Adjacent Business

Burglars stole an estimated half a million dollars in property from L&Z Jewelry in Arcadia, California, after tunneling through the wall of the neighboring business and disabling the store’s security system.

The burglary occurred between the night of October 17th and the early morning of October 18th, according to police reports. Owners discovered the breach yesterday when they found a hole cut through the wall and their safe compromised. The thieves gained access by first reaching the roof of the adjacent building and then creating a tunnel, remaining inside for at least four hours.

“We lost everything,” said Feihong Zhao, owner of L&Z Jewelry. “When I opened the front door, I smelled burning… I saw that my safe was cut and saw that the wall had a hole.” Zhao added that the thieves took all jewelry, including diamonds, chains, and rings, as well as items belonging to customers who had left them for repair. This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of property crimes targeting small businesses.

The Arcadia Police Department’s commercial robbery unit is investigating, but has released no further details at this time. For business owners concerned about security, the Small Business Administration offers resources on protecting your property. L&Z Jewelry, which opened approximately two years ago, represents a significant investment for the owners, who reportedly used their life savings to launch the business.

Police continue to gather evidence and pursue leads in the case.