CALIFORNIA—The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s Major Crimes Bureau Detectives worked with Century Station Detectives after learning about a serial robbery crew committing crimes throughout Los Angeles County.

During the investigation it was determined the crew focused on committing strong-arm robberies of 7-11 convenience stores, stealing California Lottery Scratchers. Over the course of two months the crew committed 44 robberies resulting in a loss of over $250,000, with over $90,000 collected from stolen scratchers.

The Major Crimes Bureau detectives from the Burglary Robbery Task Force and Organized Retail Theft Task force conducted a robbery investigation and witnessed the crew commit a robbery of a 7-11 store, where the suspects jumped the counter and forcibly stole over $3,000 worth of California Lottery Scratchers.

All four suspects (three adults and one juvenile) were arrested, and all stolen merchandise (lottery scratchers) were recovered. The adults were transported to Century Regional Detention Facility where they were booked on robbery charges. They are being held on $100,000 bail and were arraigned on Monday, April 15 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center (CCB) in Los Angeles.

The juvenile was transported to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall where he was booked on robbery charges and held. His next court date with the Probation Department at Compton Courthouse is pending.

The Burglary-Robbery Task Force is an active partner with the Los Angeles Police Department and participating agencies throughout Los Angeles County collaborating in the recently formed Organized Retail Theft Taskforce.

The LASD MCB BRTF was formed over 14 years ago to combat the increasing trend of organized crews who are committing residential burglaries along with violent robberies. The MCB BRTF works closely in support of all LASD station’s detective bureaus, as well as other Southern California law enforcement agencies. Residents and business owners are reminded to secure their properties, be aware of suspicious and unusual persons or vehicles, and to alert their local law enforcement immediately if suspicious activity is observed.

The MCB BRTF can be contacted via e-mail at BRTF@LASD.org for tips, questions, or concerns. The Organized Retail Theft Task Force can be contacted at ORCTF@LASD.ORG, or (562) 946-7270.