Tag: smash and grab

BEVERLY HILLS—On Friday, January 10, Kevin Orth, Public Information Officer for the Beverly Hills Police Department informed Canyon News via email that several suspects involved in a robbery have been taken into custody by police.

The BHPD was investigating a robbery that occurred in the 9800 block of Wilshire Blvd. on the afternoon of January 10. Officers responded promptly to reports of a “Smash and Grab” robbery at a local hotel, during which a security guard sustained injuries. The victim was treated and is expected to recover.

Following the robbery, the suspects fled the area in several vehicles. Officers quickly located one of the involved vehicles, a black Mercedes sedan, and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to yield, resulting in a pursuit that traveled into Los Angeles. The pursuit concluded in the area of Sepulveda Boulevard and Moraga Drive, where five suspects were taken into custody without further incident. Evidence and property were recovered.

The investigation remains active, as one vehicle and several additional suspects are still outstanding. The BHPD requests the public’s help in identifying and locating the vehicle and individuals. The names of the suspects and their ages have not been disclosed to the public yet.

“I would like to remind criminals that the BHPD is fully staffed and ready to respond to any crimes. During this tumultuous time, as fires affect parts of the region, the BHPD remains steadfast in its mission to protect and serve the community—crime of any type will not be tolerated in Beverly Hills,” said BH Police Chief Mark G. Stainbrook.

Anyone with details regarding this case is asked to contact the BHPD at (310) 550-4951. To remain anonymous, text BHPDALERT followed by the tip information to 888777. Individuals may also submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

Stay Connected: Follow the BHPD on social media for updates on this case and other public safety matters by visiting www.beverlyhills.org/police.

By Trevor

TOPANGA CANYON—On Tuesday, July 30, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the sentencing of eight people involved in “smash and grab” robberies carried out at high-end retail stores in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties.

From May 11, 2023 to August 23, 2023, a group of nine defendants committed a series of smash and grab robberies, grand thefts, and overnight burglaries throughout Southern California for a total loss of over $1.7 million. The victims included Nordstrom, Yves Saint Laurent (YSL), Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, and Magnolia Park, an upscale boutique. The remaining defendant in the case has pled guilty and will be sentenced at a future date.

“The guilty pleas and prison sentences for these individuals send a clear message that organized retail crime will not be tolerated in our community,” said Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton. “The diligent work of the Organized Retail Crimes Task Force and the collaboration with the State of California’s Department of Justice have brought justice and safety to our neighborhoods. These outcomes are a testament to our unwavering commitment to protecting the public and upholding the law.”

“These crimes will not be tolerated in the Glendale community,” said Glendale Police Chief Manuel Cid. “Rest assured we have and will continue to bring all of our resources to bear on this issue. Collaboration with our partner agencies is a cornerstone of these arrests. I’d like to especially thank the Attorney General’s Office and the Los Angeles Police Department for their partnership and leadership in providing us with the utmost support in ensuring we stand against these crimes together.”

The details of the sentence are:

-Jordan Harris pled guilty to carjacking and two counts of grand theft from the YSL in Glendale and the Nordstrom at the Topanga Canyon mall. Harris was sentenced to 10 years 4 months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

-Kip Henry pled guilty to one count of robbery, which occurred at the Nordstrom in the Topanga Canyon mall and one count of grand theft from a Newport Beach Louis Vuitton. Henry admitted to a prior strike conviction and was sentenced to 7 years 4 months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

-Devon Perry pled guilty to two counts of grand theft, one from the Burberry Outlet in Riverside and another from the Nordstrom in the Topanga Canyon mall. Perry admitted to a prior strike conviction and was sentenced to 5 years 4 months state prison.

-Ziona Famoso pled guilty to one count of robbery from the Nordstrom at the Topanga Canyon mall and two counts of grand theft from the Glendale YSL and Newport Beach Louis Vuitton. Famoso was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

-Alana Hart pled guilty to assault with force likely to commit great bodily injury and grand theft at a Burberry Outlet in Riverside. Hart was sentenced to 4 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

-Travelle Hamblet pled guilty to one count of robbery, which occurred at the Nordstrom in the Topanga Canyon mall. Hamblet admitted to a prior strike conviction and was sentenced to 4 years state prison.

-Jason Smith pled guilty to carjacking and was sentenced to 3 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

-Briana Jimenez pled guilty to robbery at the YSL in Glendale and was sentenced to one year in custody and felony probation.

-Ivan Ramirez pled guilty to robbery and grand theft at the YSL in Glendale. Ramirez will be sentenced at a future date in 2025.

This case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force, Glendale Police Department, Burbank Police Department, Torrance Police Department, Beverly Hills Police Department, Newport Beach Police Department and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.  As a result, a twenty-five count felony complaint was filed against nine defendants in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section (SPS) is prosecuting the case. The arrests in this case were carried out by the Los Angeles Police Department, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, and the Glendale Police Department. The Attorney General has made this issue a top priority and asks the public to submit complaints and tips at www.oag.ca.gov/retail-theft.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department emailed the Canyon News noting that they are investigating a smash-and-grab style robbery that transpired on November 27. The SMPD reported at approximately 10:55 a.m., officers were dispatched to the The Real Real located near the 200 block of 26th Street. The robbery involved multiple suspects.

During the investigation, officers learned that four masked suspects entered the luxury resale location and forced their way past the front door security. After inside the establishment, they used hammers to smash multiple display cases containing brand-name purses worth over $50,000. The suspects fled the scene in a waiting vehicle.

In August 2023, a rise in organized retail thefts prompted the SMPD to join the Los Angeles Police Department in the formation of the Los Angeles County Organized Retail Crime Taskforce (ORCT). The taskforce combines resources from various agencies to investigate and prosecute the organized retail theft rings that are frequently behind these crimes.

The theft incident is being investigated by the taskforce, which has arrested over 90 individuals for similar crimes. Anyone with additional details is asked to contact Santa Monica’s ORCT representative, Detective M. Castruita at Michael.Castruita@santamonica.gov.

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—On Thursday, August 24, a flash mob entered a Macy’s at Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks and ransacked the department store with the intention of committing a robbery.

At around 12:40 p.m. at least nine suspects in masks entered the location and committed a smash-and-grab robbery before fleeing the scene in two separate vehicles, a silver or gold Honda and a black Ford Fusion. They departed with bags full of stolen goods according to reports.

The crime was caught on camera which shows the suspects quickly filling dark colored bags with merchandise found on counters and racks. Other customers are seen standing and observing the crime, but no one intervened according to the footage.

The suspects are all described as male, in their early 20s, and wore dark-colored clothing and hooded sweatshirts.

They were last seen on Woodman Avenue heading towards the 101 freeway. The first getaway car’s license plate number is 8HQX809 and is registered in California. The second has a California license plate number of 8LDZ627.

A similar incident occurred in Arcadia on Tuesday, August 22, where a group of at least five suspects ransacked a Macy’s at the Santa Anita mall. The suspects took multiple boxed sets of perfume before fleeing in a black, four-door sedan.

It is unknown if the two robberies are related.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at 818-374-9500.

By Christianne