All six suspects connected in a string of jewelry store robberies around Southern California have been apprehended, with the final arrest made Tuesday in Lancaster.
George Allen Diamond, 41, of Lancaster, was the latest suspect detained in connection with the robbery of Don Roberto Jewelers in Palm Desert on August 9, as well as more than ten similar “smash-and-grab” thefts targeting jewelry retailers since May.
The Palm Desert Robbery On August 9, shortly after 2:10 p.m., four masked individuals armed with hammers entered the jewelry store in the 72800 block of Highway 111. They vandalized many display cases and stole more than $87,000 in items before fleeing.
The Suspects The six people detained in connection to the robbery spree are:
- Keyon Scott Hampton, 20, of Lancaster (bail of $180,000)
- Khalil Darius Tanner, 24, of Rosamond (bail is $90,000)
- J’Quan Glen Brasher, 28, from Lancaster (held without bail)
- Jamial Damian Wilson, 25, of Los Angeles (bail of $150,000)
- George Allen Diamond, 41, from Lancaster (held without bail)
- Ryan Hawes, 35, of Los Angeles (in federal jail for separate accusations).
Multi-Agency Investigation The arrests occurred throughout September, following a multi-agency investigation that linked the Palm Desert incident to more than ten similar thefts targeting jewelry retailers in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties. Tanner and Brasher were detained in Lancaster on September 11, with Hampton following on September 16. Wilson was detained on September 18 in Los Angeles, and Diamond was arrested on Tuesday, bringing the number of suspects to a halt.
Charges All defendants were put into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of a variety of offenses, including robbery, vandalism, grand theft, burglary, committing theft with prior convictions, and conspiracy. The investigation is underway. Anyone with information is asked to call the authorities at 760-836-1600.
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