A brazen burglar dropped through the roof of a family-owned Los Angeles jewelry store, stealing $100,000 and pushing longtime owners to flee the crime-infested city after decades of enduring soft-on-crime policies.
Story Snapshot
- Surveillance captured an unmasked thief cutting through the ceiling of Nafiseh Jeweler in Woodland Hills at 2:30 a.m. on February 7, 2026, grabbing high-value jewelry and silver in under 10 minutes.
- The Nezafati family, victimized before by a prior store burglary and two home invasions, now threatens to shut down after 30 years in Los Angeles due to relentless crime.
- Suspect left an axe behind and exploited camera blind spots, showing professional tactics amid Southern California’s rising roof-heist epidemic.
- No arrests as of February 10, 2026; LAPD holds clear video evidence, but owners declare “LA has changed” and “the city is not safe anymore.”
The Daring Roof Break-In
A single burglar accessed the roof of Nafiseh Jeweler on the 22000 block of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026. Surveillance video shows him cutting through the ceiling, crawling to avoid an 18-foot drop to the first floor, and landing on the second-floor display area. He grabbed approximately $100,000 worth of jewelry and silver using tools, including an axe later found at the scene. The thief escaped before 2:40 a.m. when the alarm finally triggered, notifying LAPD. His face remained fully visible, uncovered by any mask, and he avoided external cameras, indicating prior knowledge of the store layout.
Family’s History of Victimization
The Nezafati family, operators of Nafiseh Jeweler for 30 years, faced this as their second burglary at the location. Six months earlier, around August 2025, thieves struck the store. Thugs then followed family members home, committing two invasions that left parents sleepless and constantly monitoring cameras. Touraj Nezafati, co-owner and public voice, expressed exhaustion from living in fear of robbery during transit or armed coercion at home. This pattern underscores how repeat crimes erode small business stability in Los Angeles, where ground-level smash-and-grabs and stealth entries plague commercial strips.
Owners Reach Breaking Point
Touraj Nezafati stated bluntly, “It’s time to go from LA. LA has changed.” He added, “The city is not safe anymore… Otherwise, we would have to move.” The family eyes relocation to safer Orange County, joining a wave of businesses fleeing Los Angeles amid retail theft surges. Short-term losses disrupt operations and heighten family trauma, while long-term closure after three decades signals deeper decay. Financial hits total $100,000, likely uninsured or partially covered, deterring further investment in urban retail amid Prop 47’s lenient theft thresholds.
Woodland Hills retailers and immigrant business communities suffer similar risks, amplifying economic fallout. Political pressure mounts for stricter enforcement as public appeals target city officials over perceived lax responses.
Pattern of Professional Heists
This burglary mirrors a Southern California trend of roof-penetrating thefts bypassing street security, as noted by Jewelers Security Alliance. Thieves target high-value diamonds and gold during off-hours, often in organized efforts, creating “nightmare” scenarios for family jewelers. Recommendations include advanced alarms, reinforced roofs, and patrols to counter cleanouts. KTLA analysts called the suspect’s method unusually bold, questioning alarm effectiveness despite quick execution preventing safe access. No suspect arrest reported; LAPD pursues leads from video and axe evidence.
Sources:
California jewelry store burglar breaks in from roof, owner threatens to leave Los Angeles
Burglar breaks through roof of Woodland Hills jewelry store
Roof-Penetrating Thieves Clean Out Vacationing California Family’s Jewelry Store: ‘It’s a Nightmare’
