Final Defendant Sentenced in Sophisticated Simi Valley Burglary Crew Case

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that the final  defendant in a sophisticated burglary crew responsible for a multi-million dollar heist in Simi Valley  has been sentenced. 

At the end of April, Sergio Andres Mejia-Machuca (DOB 06/07/98) was sentenced to five years eight months in state prison. With this sentencing, all four members of the burglary crew have now been held accountable for  their roles in the coordinated commercial burglaries targeting 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and Dr. Conkey’s Candy and Coffee Shop. In addition, Mejia-Machuca was sentenced for his role in the burglary of Simi  Valley Pawn Brokers that occurred two days before the heist at 5-Star Sergio Andres Mejia-Machuca Jewelry & Watch Repair. 

“These were sophisticated and professional commercial burglars, but they met their match with the  Simi Valley Police Department,” said District Attorney Nasarenko. “All four defendants have now  been held accountable for their brazen behavior, bringing to an end this criminal operation.” 

Mejia-Machuca previously pled guilty to felony counts of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary  and possession of stolen property, as well as felony vandalism. He also admitted special  allegations, including excessive loss exceeding $1 million and theft or damage committed in  concert with others, as well as the aggravating factor that the crimes were carried out with  planning, sophistication, and professionalism. Mejia-Machuca received a state prison commitment  and longer sentence than his co-defendants due in part to his prior residential burglary conviction  out of the state of Maryland in 2023. 

The case stems from a coordinated burglary scheme carried out in May 2025. The defendants  conducted surveillance of the businesses, gathered tools, and ultimately cut through the roof and shared wall of the businesses to gain entry. Once inside, they disabled security measures,  accessed safes, and stole jewelry, cash, and other valuables. The total loss exceeded $1 million. 

Three co-defendants were previously sentenced on February 20, 2026. Manuel David Ibarra and  Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara were each sentenced to four years and four months in county jail, and  Heidy Nickolt Trujillo was sentenced to four years in jail. 

The investigation was conducted by the Simi Valley Police Department. 

Case: 2025014450 

Defendant Information: 

Manuel David Ibarra (DOB 09/17/87) 

Sergio Andres Mejia-Machuca (DOB 06/07/98) 

Camilo Antonio Aguliar Lara (DOB 11/08/93) 

Heidy Nickolt Trujillo (DOB 06/26/99) 

Charges pled guilty to: 

• PC 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime – Commercial Burglary 
• PC 182(a)(1) – Conspiracy to Commit a Crime – Possession of Stolen Property  
• PC 594(b)(1) – Vandalism over $400 

Special allegations admitted: 

• PC 12022.6(a)(4) – Excessive loss over $1 million 
• PC 12022.65(a) – Theft or damage in concert 
• CRC 4.421(a)(8) – The manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication, or  professionalism 
• PC 667S2 – Prior strike (Mejia-Machuca only)