Here’s a tip for any future criminals: Don’t confess to your crimes on social media. A California man who bragged about taking part in the smash-and-grab robbery of a Beverly Hills jewellery store in 2022 pleaded guilty in court on Monday. Ladell Tharpe, 39, of Long Beach, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery, according to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California.
Tharpe, along with Deshon Bell, 22, and Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 33, both of Long Beach, were accused of robbing a luxury jewellery store in Beverly Hills on March 23, 2022. Tharpe had led the cars used for the robbery, conducted surveillance and acted as a lookout, officials said. The thieves entered the store and used tools to smash the display cases, taking roughly US$2,674,600 (RM11.
3mil) in jewellry, including 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings, and 20 watches. Tharpe later posted images of large amounts of cash on his Instagram account with the caption “Robbery Gang,” officials said. Tharpe, who has been in custody since March 2023, will be sentenced on Jan 6.
He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Bell and Vernon have already pleaded guilty. Bell was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison and ordered to pay US$2,674,600 in restitution.
Vernon’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec 6. – pennlive.com/Tribune News Service.
