A Long Beach man pleaded guilty today to participating in the daytime smash-and-grab robbery of a Beverly Hills jewelry store in which nearly $2.7 million worth of merchandise was stolen — and which he later displayed on Instagram.
Ladell Tharpe, 39, pleaded guilty in Los Angeles to one count of interference with commerce by robbery — known as a federal Hobbs Act crime, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
On March 23, 2022, Tharpe, Deshon Bell, 22, of Long Beach, and Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 33, also of Long Beach, along with others, committed a robbery at the Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills store. Vernon used heavy tools to smash the store’s display case while employees were present, causing trauma to people inside the store.
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Tharpe led cars used to transport the robbers and the getaway vehicle to the location. Bell was one of the getaway drivers. Tharpe also conducted surveillance and acted as the lookout for the robbers, court papers show…