On August 2, 2016, Fountain Valley Police Detectives arrested Isabel Ochoa, 30 years of age, at her residence in South El Monte. After an extensive investigation, an Arrest Warrant was obtained for Ochoa, charging her with four counts of burglary and conspiracy. The burglaries occurred in 2015 at Ballard & Ballard in Fountain Valley, Mimi’s Jewelry in Fountain Valley, Nick’s Jewelers in Fullerton and Diamonds Direct in Laguna Hills. Ochoa’s co-defendant, Victor Herrera, was arrested by Fountain Valley Detectives earlier this year and was charged for the same crimes. Herrera is still in custody awaiting trial.
During all four burglaries, the suspects forced entry into the jewelry stores via the roof. The safes were then cut open and a large amount of high-end jewelry and loose jewels were stolen. The property has not been recovered. Ochoa was booked into the Orange County Jail where she is being held on $2,000,000 bail.