A violent jewelry store robbery that occurred on Aug. 9 in a Southern California desert city led law enforcement investigators to arrest six men suspected of multiple “smash-and-grab” robberies throughout the region, authorities reported Sept. 24.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department alleges the six arrests were related to 12 similar robberies targeting the same jewelry store chain at locations throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties starting in May.
Those arrested were Ryan Hawes, 35, of Los Angeles; J’Quan Brasher, 27, of Lancaster; Khalil Tanner, 24, of Rosamond; Keyon Hampton, 20, of Lancaster; Jamail Wilson, 24, of Los Angeles; and George Diamond, 41, of Lancaster.
Investigators say Palm Desert-area sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a robbery at the Don Roberto Jewelers store at about 2:15 p.m. on Highway 111 in Palm Desert, adjacent to Palm Springs.
“Multiple callers reported that four masked individuals entered the business, wielding hammers, destroyed several display cases, and stole more than $87,000 worth of merchandise before fleeing the scene,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reported.
When the sheriff’s department’s robbery and burglary suppression team took over the investigation, they discovered that the incident in Palm Desert was one of 12 similar robberies targeting the same chain.
Besides the jewelry store robberies, Wilson and Tanner are also suspected of numerous commercial burglaries in Los Angeles County, according to authorities.
Tanner and Brasher were arrested in Lancaster on Sept. 11. Hampton was arrested on Sept. 16. Wilson was arrested on Sept. 18, and Diamond was taken into custody on Sept. 23.
Hawes was taken into federal custody on an unrelated matter during the investigation.
The suspects were booked into Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of robbery, vandalism, grand theft, burglary, committing a theft with prior convictions, and conspiracy, according to the sheriff’s department.
Another Jewelry Store Robbed
A jewelry store in Northern California was robbed at about 1:50 p.m. Sept. 22 in San Ramon, 35 miles east of San Francisco, according to the local police department.
Police say about 20 masked robbers entered the store and began smashing display cases and taking numerous items at Heller Jewelers, located on Bollinger Canyon Road.
“Several suspects were armed with handguns, and at least one suspect fired rounds through the front entrance,” the San Ramon Police Department reported.
No one was injured in the robbery and there was no further threat to the public, according to police.
The suspects fled the scene in waiting cars, which were staged in the city center valet parking area nearby. Police pursued some of the vehicles but ended pursuits because of the danger they posed to the public. Air support took over following the vehicles and were able to track them, police reported.
“Law enforcement air support tracked the suspects through Contra Costa and into Alameda County,” police said.
Several suspects were arrested at two locations in Oakland and Dublin. The names were not released to the public.
