Men charged in a grab-and-smash robbery in Beverly Hills

Two long beach suspects and a minor have been arrested for a multi-million dollar smash-and-grab robbery of a Beverly Hills jewelry store in March. They were identified as Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 31, Ladell Tharpe, 37, and Deshon Bell, 20. On March 23, the three suspects, along with other co-conspirators, drove three vehicles from Long Beach to the Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills store in the 200 block of South Beverly Drive. They smashed the exterior glass cases multiple times, then stole merchandise worth at least $2.67 million, prosecutors said.

The masked thieves used axes, sledgehammers, and crowbars during the destruction.

Apparently, they stole around 20 watches, 19 bracelets, eight rings, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, and a pair of obelisks. During the robbery, Vernon's cell phone fell out of his pocket while he was smashing the window. The device was later found by police.

Two days later, another suspect posted an Instagram picture containing, “large stacks of money and a message praising his ‘robbery gang.’” Law enforcement arrested the defendants last month. If convicted, they could face a maximum of up to 20 years in federal prison for each count.

Arraignment hearings for the suspects are scheduled for later this month. Vernon is in federal custody and was ordered jailed without bond, with his arraignment scheduled for Oct. 13. Tharpe is in state custody and is expected to be remanded to federal custody in the coming weeks. Bell was released on a $15,000 bond and his arraignment in federal court is scheduled for Oct. 20.