Incredible bodycam footage has revealed the aftermath of what could be the largest jewelry heist in US history – a year after still-free thieves walked away with precious gems and watches, some valued at $100 million.
The video, obtained by DailyMail.com, shows the moment officers arrive at the scene of the robbery at the Flying J Travel Center in Lebec, Southern California, as two confused drivers try to make sense of their situation.
James Beaty, 53, and Tandy Motley, 47, tell police they left their Brink’s truck unattended for 27 minutes; Beaty had slept in the 18-wheeler’s sleeping area and Motley was eating in the rest area.
The drivers had been waiting for police before taking a closer look at the truck, with footage showing the moment they realized the seriousness of the robbery.
The video, obtained by DailyMail.com, shows the moment officers arrive at the scene of the robbery at the Flying J Travel Center in Lebec, Southern California.
The drivers of the Brink waited for the police before taking a look at the 18-wheeler transporting diamonds and jewels. Some lawsuits are worth $100 million
“We had a lock on this and that’s gone. We’ve looked for it, but it’s nowhere to be found,” says Motley.
When asked by one of the officers if they noticed anyone following them that night, Motley says no, but something else caught his attention.
“There was someone looking at me funny, kind of chasing me, staring right into my eyes, just sitting there, the doors were open, while we were being loaded,” he says, adding, “It just felt weird.”
Before opening the truck door, Beaty reveals that they were carrying about $2.7 million in diamonds and jewels – “that’s why we need you here,” he tells police.
“Some of those obsidian rocks and opals are worth millions on their own just for one stone,” adds Beaty.
Motley then inventories the merchandise and says only 49 of the 73 loaded bags are left.
“Holy s—,” Beaty responds, asking Motley to double check. “That’s a lot.”
James Beaty, 53, and Tandy Motley, 47, tell police they left their Brink’s truck unattended for 27 minutes
The burglars managed to bypass the truck’s locking mechanism, which was not ‘extremely difficult’, unnoticed
The Brinks truck was on its way to the Pasadena Convention Center when the robbery occurred on July 11, 2022.
It had been loaded the night before after an exhibition hosted by the International Gem and Jewelry Show in San Mateo, south of San Francisco.
The thieves seized loot described by some as worth less than $10 million and others as about $100 million and the value is the subject of two lawsuits.
Brinks and 14 affected jewelers are involved in a lawsuit over the robbery.
The jewelers claim the stolen merchandise was worth about $100 million, which would make the theft the largest such robbery in the country’s history.
The Brink’s truck was on its way to the Pasadena Convention Center when the robbery occurred on July 11, 2022
The security company’s lawsuit alleges that the jewelers understated the value of the items being transported and that the company is only responsible for the declared value.
Meanwhile, although Beaty said the cargo was worth $2.7 million, Brinks claimed in his own lawsuit against the jewelers that it was actually worth $8.7 million.
Officials have stated that the thieves likely tracked the truck from San Mateo and that several thieves must have been involved in the robbery.
The guards drove south about 300 miles before the robbery occurred just north of their destination, when the burglars managed to bypass the truck’s locking mechanism undetected.
Arnold Duke, president of the International Gem and Jewelry Show, revealed that the truck was carrying 70- to 100-pound storage containers containing gemstones and jewelry.
“We’re looking at over $100 million in documented losses,” Duke said.
“This was definitely a huge crime. One of the biggest jewelry heists ever. We’re talking gold, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and lots of luxury watches.”