Four suspects were arrested in connection with violent smash-and-grab robberies targeting jewelry stores across Southern California.
The group is believed to be a part of an organized theft crime ring that stole over $1.5 million worth of jewelry, according to the California Attorney General’s Office.
The suspects were identified as:
- Rodney Allen Flynt, Sr., 31
- Michael Anthony Jones, Jr., 32
- Christopher Shawn Pate, 27
- Ryan Keith Pate, 31
The thefts occurred from April 4, 2023, through May 8, 2024, and targeted high-end jewelry stores across Orange, Riverside, San Diego and Kern counties.
The retailers targeted include Kay Jewelers, Zales, Marc Jacobs, Princess Jewelers, Banter By Piercing Pagoda, JCPenney and Karrada Jewelry.
The suspects would typically run into shopping malls and ransack the jewelry shops in violent smash-and-grab style thefts, authorities said. The heists took place both during operating hours and sometimes after the stores were closed.
In total, the quartet escaped with jewelry and merchandise worth around $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 burglary and vandalism.
“Organized retail crime has a profound impact on our community and the broader region,” said Carlsbad Police Lieutenant Shaun Lawton. “These crimes not only affect the financial health of local businesses but also result in 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 fighting 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.