Authorities have asked for the public’s help in their investigation of a ring of thieves dubbed the “Chesapeake Bandits” who have attacked armored vehicle workers over the past year in various parts of Los Angeles County.
“The group was dubbed the Chesapeake Bandits because investigators believe the group met and staged the robberies at a residence on Chesapeake Avenue in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles,” the FBI said in a statement.
“Collectively, the group has been linked to thefts with losses of hundreds of thousands (of dollars),” the statement said. “Investigators believe the group will continue to commit robberies until all suspects are identified and arrested. Investigators believe the drivers of the armored vehicles were under surveillance before the robberies.”
The investigation is being conducted by personnel from the FBI and the Los Angeles, Hawthorne and Inglewood police departments. The prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office.
On February 17, Deneyvous Hobson, 36, and James Russell Davis, 34, both of Los Angeles, were federally charged in connection with a criminal complaint filed in the United States District Court in Los Angeles for conspiracy to interfere with commerce for theft.
Hobson was arrested on February 21 and detained during his first appearance in federal court. He is being held in federal prison in Los Angeles awaiting prosecution and is expected to be brought to trial on March 16.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Davis, who is believed to be a fugitive. Investigators believe Davis may be driving one of the vehicles registered to him, as follows:
- 2008 White Chevy Tahoe SUV 4-Door: CA 7ABW490
- 2015 Lexus GS 350 Sedan 4-Door White: CA 9BNL712
- 2020 Chevrolet Blazer SUV 4-Door Black: CA 8ULA955.
Authorities have released security footage of unidentified suspects who are also wanted in the case.
“This group targeted self-service ATMs and other businesses, including check cashing locations,” the FBI statement said.
“The suspects operate by overtaking the driver of the armored vehicle when servicing ATMs or leaving businesses. During robberies, victim drivers are tied up and held at gunpoint. They then enter the armed vehicle and steal the money. On one occasion a shot was fired but no one has been injured, to date. Investigators believe that if the Chesapeake bandits are not caught and become more brazen, someone will be injured or killed,” the statement read.
The following details of the crimes have been released:
- On February 14, 2022 at 8:48 a.m., the driver of a Sectran Security armored car was robbed by multiple suspects at the Wescom Credit Union at 2871 W. 120th St. in Hawthorne. An AR-15 assault rifle and a black semi-automatic pistol were allegedly used in the crime, and a late-model white Honda Accord sedan was the getaway vehicle.
- On June 9, 2022 at 7:50 a.m., multiple suspects robbed the driver of a Loomis armored car from the Bank of America at 11525 Crenshaw Blvd. in Inglewood. A dark, short-barreled assault rifle is believed to have been used in the crime, and a late-model silver or gray Chevrolet Equinox SUV was the getaway vehicle.
- On September 15, 2022 at 12:20 p.m., multiple suspects robbed the driver of a Brinks armored car at PLS Check Cashers at 2601 S. La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles. A black assault rifle was allegedly used in the crime, and a late-model gray Ford Explorer SUV was the getaway vehicle.
- On January 9, 2023 at 7:15 a.m., multiple suspects robbed the driver of a Brinks armored car from a 99 Cents Only Stores store at 3060 S. Crenshaw Blvd. in Los Angeles. An AR-style rifle was allegedly used in the crime, and a late-model black Kia K5 was the getaway vehicle.
- And on February 25, 2023 at 9:56 a.m., the driver of the Brinks armored car was robbed by several suspects at a PLS Check Cashers at 2601 S. La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles. A rifle with a green laser was allegedly used in the crime, and a tan/light colored late model SUV, possibly a white Toyota RAV4, was the getaway vehicle.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information on the entire case. Additionally, Brinks, one of the corporate victims, offered to match the FBI’s reward offer of up to $25,000 in exchange for information leading to the arrest and indictment of one or more several people.
implicated in the Brinks armored car thefts
Anyone with information can call 800-CALL-FBI or use the TIPS.FBI.GOV website. Informants can remain anonymous.