A southeast Indianapolis family says a crew of thieves cut a hole in their wall and pulled off a quiet, high-dollar heist on Sunday evening, getting away with roughly $1.1 million in jewelry and other luxury items before anyone nearby knew what was happening.
The break-in reportedly happened around 7 p.m. near Shelbyville Road and Southport Road. The family says the thieves moved quickly, slipping in and out before neighbors realized anything was wrong. They describe the burglary as brazen and say the loss includes irreplaceable heirlooms that no insurance check can truly replace.
The family told WTHR that the stolen haul includes an emerald-and-diamond necklace set, designer bags, bottles of perfume and other luxury pieces, with the total loss estimated at about $1.1 million. Security footage the family shared shows at least one person dressed like a construction worker, and relatives say a white van was spotted nearby both before and after the break-in. “Everybody is super scared,” one family member told the station.
Police investigating
IMPD detectives have opened a formal investigation into the burglary and are treating it as a major case. “The investigation is ongoing,” IMPD Officer Tommy Thompson told WTHR. Detectives are reviewing the home’s security footage, collecting physical evidence and following up on leads, according to police.
Why the loss is so large
High-value jewelry burglaries like this one often involve significant planning and can rack up staggering price tags in a matter of minutes. The Jewelers' Security Alliance's 2025 Annual Crime Report found that the average loss from a burglary involving a safe attack was $1.1 million, and the group received reports of 20 burglaries with losses of at least $1 million in 2025. Those numbers highlight how targeted these crimes can be and help explain why investigators are treating this as more than a routine residential break-in.
Neighbors on edge
People living nearby say word of the break-in has them double-checking locks, scrolling through doorbell camera footage and paying closer attention to unfamiliar vehicles cruising the area. The family says they are working closely with detectives and hope anyone who has video, saw that white van or noticed anything unusual will step forward.
For now, the home stands as a stark reminder that even quiet stretches of the city can end up in a thief’s crosshairs when brazen crews come calling.
