Jewelry showcase. (/Keynote USA/Getty Images)
Four suspects were arrested in connection with violent robberies against jewelry stores throughout Southern California.
The group is believed to be part of an organized crime ring that stole more than $1.5 million in jewelry, according to the California Attorney General’s Office.
The suspects were identified as:
- Rodney Allen Flynt, father, 31 years old
- Michael Anthony Jones, Jr., 32 years old
- Christopher Shawn Pate, 27 years old
- Ryan Keith Pate, 31 years old
The robberies occurred between April 4, 2023 and May 8, 2024 and targeted high-end jewelry stores in Orange, Riverside, San Diego and Kern counties.
Targeted retailers include Kay Jewelers, Zales, Marc Jacobs, Princess Jewelers, Banter By Piercing Pagoda, JCPenney and Karrada Jewelry.
The suspects typically ran into shopping centers and looted jewelry stores in violent smash-and-grab-style robberies, authorities said. The robberies occurred both during operating hours and sometimes after the stores closed.
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In total, the quartet escaped with jewelry and merchandise worth about $1,542,706, according to court documents.
Thirty criminal counts were charged against the group, including organized retail theft, grand theft, conspiracy, second-degree robbery, second-degree commercial theft, and vandalism.
“Organized retail crime has a profound impact on our community and the region as a whole,” said Carlsbad Police Lt. Shaun Lawton. “These crimes not only affect the financial health of local businesses, but also cause increased prices for consumers and reduced tax revenues that support public services.”
“Organized retail crime has been plaguing our state for far too long,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “It harms businesses, retailers and consumers and puts the public at risk. I thank our local law enforcement partners for their work in apprehending the suspects in this case. “The California Department of Justice and its partners will continue to fight to keep our communities, businesses and consumers safe from retail theft and other crimes.”
The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the California Department of Justice Organized Retail Crime Task Force, Bakersfield Police, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, San Diego Police, Carlsbad Police, Escondido Police, El Cajon Police, National City Police and Chula Vista Police.
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