Los Angeles, Ca
Trio accused of armed robberies targeting Southern California shops
A suspect was charged for his alleged involvement in a string of armed robberies targeting stores across Southern California.
The suspect was identified as Antonio Bland, 34, of North Hollywood, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Bland reportedly worked together with two accomplices targeting businesses in Los Angeles and Orange counties during a two-week armed robbery spree.
The other suspects were identified as Ronnie Tucker, 22, from Long Beach, and Abigail Luckey, 48, from Los Angeles.
From Jan. 29 to Feb. 14, the suspects allegedly robbed at least 11 businesses including nine 7-Eleven stores in North Hollywood, Burbank, Torrance, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Glendale and Pasadena, one smoke shop in Tustin and one donut shop in Los Angeles.
On Feb. 2, a man armed with a handgun entered a 7-Eleven store located at 3523 W. Burbank Blvd. and forced the store clerk to empty the cash register, police said. The suspect also stole the clerk’s wallet before fleeing the scene.
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The robbery suspects typically entered stores while masked and hooded while brandishing firearms. (U.S. Attorney’s Office) -
The robbery suspects typically entered stores while masked and hooded while brandishing firearms. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)
On Feb. 8, two suspects entered a 7-Eleven located at 2000 N. Hollywood Way. Armed with a handgun, the suspects forced the clerk to open both cash registers and hand over his wallet. They emptied the registers before running out of the store, police said.
Investigators were able to identify the getaway car used in the robberies and, with the help of a police helicopter, located the vehicle on Feb. 13.
On Feb. 14, the trio attempted to rob a doughnut shop in Downey.
Upon entering, they yelled, “Open the cash register!” The cashier spotted them and immediately ran toward the back kitchen area. The suspects jumped the counter and chased after him.
The cashier went to grab a firearm and fired at least one shot which struck the wall of the building, authorities said. The suspects ran out of the store after hearing the shots.
Burbank police officers witnessed the attempted robbery and, shortly afterward, pulled the suspects over in West L.A.
During the arrest, all three suspects were “wearing the same distinct clothing and were in possession of the same handgun used in the prior robberies,” authorities said.
The robberies typically happened late at night and usually involved the suspects wearing hoodies and face masks.
“We’ve seen too much violent gun crime in our community and it has to stop,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “Our Operation Safe Cities initiative is intended to do just that. Violent criminals should take heed that federal and local partners are collaborating more than ever to ensure that there are consequences for those who engage in gun crime.”
In May, Bland was charged with one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery and was ordered jailed without bond. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for June 10.
Complaints were filed against the other two suspects:
- Tucker is expected to be transferred to federal custody
- Luckey was released on bond but has failed to appear in court and is considered a fugitive
If convicted on all charges, the suspects could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The FBI and the Burbank Police Department are investigating the case with assistance from the Tustin, Torrance, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Los Angeles, and Downey police departments.
Anyone who knows Luckey’s whereabouts or has additional information can call Burbank Police at 818-238-3000.
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
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