L.A. robbery suspects caught after flaunting stolen cash on Instagram: DOJ
Four men from Los Angeles County were arrested and face felony charges for allegedly robbing several 7-Eleven convenience store during a crime spree that last nearly two months.
The men became suspects of the investigation after one of them posted images of their stolen cash on Instagram, according to the United States Department of Justice.
The DOJ identified the suspects as Charles Christopher, 24, of Compton; Jordan Leonard, 25, of Torrance; D’Angelo Spencer, 26, of South Los Angeles; and Tazjar Rouse, 22, of Hollywood.
According to an indictment which was unsealed Tuesday, the four men committed a series of robberies from Nov. 4, 2023 through Dec. 24, 2023. They primarily targeted 7-Eleven stores in South L.A., although another robbery took place at a CVS in Hollywood.
The DOJ said the men traveled to their targeted businesses in a BMW, went inside, then jumped over the counter and took cash from the registers which they put into a black Nike bag.
One of the men, usually either Christopher or Leonard, officials allege, would typically point a firearm at a store employee or customer and demand either their cell phone or wallet.
On Nov. 28, 2023, after a successful robbery of one of the 7-Eleven stores in South L.A., Leonard allegedly posted a photo on Instagram showing off stacks of cash with the caption: “love my bros we go hit every time.” That same photo tagged the accounts of his co-defendants Christopher and Spencer, the indictment alleges.
Four Los Angeles area men were arrested by federal agents after they allegedly robbed several convenience stores and then posted photos of the stolen cash on social media. (United States Department of Justice) Four Los Angeles area men were arrested by federal agents after they allegedly robbed several convenience stores and then posted photos of the stolen cash on social media. (United States Department of Justice) Four Los Angeles area men were arrested by federal agents after they allegedly robbed several convenience stores and then posted photos of the stolen cash on social media. (United States Department of Justice) Four Los Angeles area men were arrested by federal agents after they allegedly robbed several convenience stores and then posted photos of the stolen cash on social media. (United States Department of Justice)
The four were arrested on Tuesday and each face one count of interfering with commerce by robbery and another count of conspiracy. They also face additional federal robbery charges, the DOJ said.
Christopher and Leonard were arraigned Tuesday in United States District Court in downtown L.A. They both pleaded not guilty and are being held in jail without bond with their trial date scheduled for Sept. 17.
Spencer is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.
Rouse, meanwhile, was arraigned Tuesday in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri, the DOJ said.
If convicted, they face maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for each robbery-related count. Each firearm brandishing count carries a minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Throughout the course of their two-month crime spree, the DOJ said they netted only about $7,600.
“Anyone thinking that violent robberies are a good way to make money should take note that there will be consequences for your actions,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.
The case remains under investigation by the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department.
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