$100,000 Of Jewelry Stolen From Home Of Congressman Issa

An investigation was under way today into the theft of "priceless" items of jewelry from the Vista home of Republican Congressman Darrell Issa.

The burglary at the home in Vista's upscale Shadowridge neighborhood occurred in the early evening hours of Nov. 29, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, which put the loss at $100,000. More than 50 pieces of jewelry -- watches, rings, earrings, bracelets -- were stolen, U-T San Diego reported.

Issa told the newspaper through a spokesman Thursday that the stolen pieces were "priceless" to his family.

"The items that were taken were irreplaceable family heirlooms that were inherited by the Issa family," Frederick Hill said.

Issa, 59, chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and is one of the wealthiest members of Congress. Prior to joining the House in 2001, he became a multi-millionaire running Vista-based Directed Electronics, a manufacturing company involved in automobile security and other products.