The FBI continue working with local law enforcement agencies to investigate the millions of dollars in jewelry and gems stolen from a Brinks truck in Lancaster last week.
As reported to City News Service, the Brinks truck was en route from the International Gem and Jewelry Show in San Mateo to a show at the Pasadena Convention Center when the heist occurred early last Monday. The truck was robbed after the driver pulled over at a rest stop in Lebec.
There is conflicting information about the value of the merchandise stolen. Brandy Swanson, director of the International Gem and Jewelry Show, told AP that between 25 and 30 bags were taken, containing an unknown number of individual pieces. She said 18 victims were reporting more than $100 million in losses yet to contrast, a statement released by Brinks said the value is closer to $10 million.
“According to the information the customers provided to us before they shipped their items, the total value of the missing items is less than $10 million. We are working with law enforcement, and we will fully reimburse our customers for the value of their assets that were stolen, in accordance with the terms of our contract.”
The discrepancy is apparently the result of a common practice in the industry.
“They under-insure,” Arnold Duke, president of the International Gem and Jewelry Show, told KABC. “Because the extra insurance is very, very expensive. And because everybody trusts Brink’s a million percent. And they’ve never lost anything of ours. After all these years, people are just very, very comfortable.”
It is not sure if the robbers were following the truck from its pickup location, or if
“To have a robbery like this occur with that amount of money, possibly upwards of $150 million in losses, is just incredible,” law-enforcement expert Bruce Thomas told KABC.
