PALM DESERT, CA — Six men have been arrested in connection with a string of “smash and grab” jewelry store burglaries in Los Angeles and across multiple counties, authorities announced Wednesday.
On Aug. 9, deputies responded around 2:15 p.m. to a jewelry store in the 72800 block of Highway 111 in Palm Desert after a reported robbery, Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt. James Mills said.
Several witnesses told investigators that four masked individuals entered the store with hammers, smashed display cases and stole more than $87,000 worth of merchandise before fleeing the area, according to Mills.
Detectives later determined the Palm Desert theft was connected to more than 10 “smash-and-grab” jewelry store robberies reported since May in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
The suspects were booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of robbery, vandalism, grand theft, burglary, committing a theft with prior convictions and conspiracy, officials said.
- Ryan Hawes, a 35-year-old resident of Los Angeles
- J’Quan Brasher, a 27-year-old resident of Lancaster
- Khalil Tanner, a 24-year-old resident of Rosamond
- Keyon Hampton, a 20-year-old resident of Lancaster
- Jamail Wilson, a 24-year-old resident of Los Angeles
- George Diamond, a 41-year-old resident of Lancaster
Following a multi-agency operation, authorities arrested Tanner and Brasher without incident in Lancaster on Sept. 11. Hampton was taken into custody in Lancaster on Sept. 16. Wilson was arrested Sept. 18 in Los Angeles, and Diamond was arrested in Lancaster on Tuesday, Mills said.
Hawes was taken into federal custody on an unrelated matter.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information was urged to call 760-836-1600.