Los Angeles’ skyrocketing crime wave has pushed a hardworking family-owned jewelry business of 30 years to the brink, with owners now threatening to flee the city after a brazen rooftop burglary that exposed failed liberal policies.
Story Snapshot
- A burglar brazenly cut through the roof of Nafiseh Jeweler in Woodland Hills, stealing $100,000 in jewelry and silver in under 10 minutes, leaving an axe behind.
- The Nezafati family, victimized multiple times including prior store break-ins and home invasions, declares LA “not safe anymore” and plans relocation to Orange County.
- Surveillance captured the unmasked suspect’s face clearly, yet no arrests as of February 10, 2026, highlighting LAPD struggles amid rising retail thefts.
- This fits a pattern of sophisticated roof-heists plaguing California jewelers, fueling business exodus from Democrat-run cities.
The Brazen Break-In
On February 7, 2026, around 2:30 a.m., a burglar accessed the roof of Nafiseh Jeweler at the 22000 block of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills, California. He cut through the ceiling, navigated an 18-foot drop by crawling to a second-floor area, and ransacked displays. The thief grabbed approximately $100,000 worth of jewelry and silver using tools including an axe left at the scene. He escaped before 2:40 a.m. when the alarm triggered, notifying LAPD. Surveillance video shows his face uncovered and gloves absent, suggesting confidence in evading capture. The rapid execution underscores professional tactics exploiting store vulnerabilities.
Family’s Growing Despair
The Nezafati family discovered the theft early that morning upon arriving at their store of 30 years. This marks the second burglary there, following an incident six months earlier in August 2025. Compounding the trauma, the family suffered two home invasions after thieves followed them from the store. Co-owner Touraj Nezafati expressed exhaustion, stating parents cannot sleep and constantly check cameras. Fear of robbery en route home or armed coercion dominates their lives. Nezafati declared, “It’s time to go from LA. LA has changed,” signaling plans to relocate to safer Orange County unless city safety improves dramatically.
Pattern of Roof Heists in California
Jewelers Security Alliance documents a surge in Southern California jewelry burglaries using roof access to bypass ground-level alarms and gates. Thieves target high-value items like diamonds and gold during off-hours, often in organized efforts. A recent similar heist cleaned out a vacationing family’s store entirely, described as a “nightmare” for small businesses. Experts recommend reinforced roofs, advanced alarms, and patrols. In Woodland Hills, ongoing retail crimes amplify risks for vulnerable commercial strips. This trend drives up insurance costs and forces security overhauls on family operations already strained by losses.
Broader LA crime waves, including smash-and-grabs and thefts, erode trust in urban safety. Political backlash grows against soft-on-crime measures like Proposition 47, which critics say enable repeat offenders. Small businesses like Nafiseh bear the brunt, deterring investment and prompting exodus. With President Trump now securing borders and enforcing laws nationally, contrast sharpens against sanctuary cities fostering chaos. Families demand accountability from officials failing to protect livelihoods and property rights.
Ongoing Investigation and Uncertainty
LAPD took possession of the axe and surveillance footage showing the suspect covering external cameras and fleeing with bags. KTLA aired the video publicly on February 8, 2026, to aid identification. As of February 10, no arrests or stolen goods recovery reported. The solo suspect’s layout knowledge raises questions about reconnaissance. Nezafatis express gratitude the quick heist avoided safe access, limiting further damage. Yet powerlessness persists against lax enforcement perceptions. Calls intensify for tougher policies to halt business flight and restore order in once-thriving communities.
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’
