RIVERSIDE, California –
An Arizona man pleaded guilty Monday to federal criminal charges for committing armed robberies of nine stores in Southern California and Arizona, officials stated.
During a crime spree last summer that ended in a high-speed chase in which he fired upon federal agents. After police rammed his car, he accidentally shot himself under his chin, according to authorities.
Samuel Sven Smith, 27, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty to two counts of interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and two counts of brandishing and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to his plea agreement, from July 31, 2022, until his arrest on August 20, 2022, Smith went on an armed robbery spree in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino counties and Arizona.
Specifically, Smith admitted to targeting and robbing a Big Lots store in Riverside and PetSmart stores in Signal Hill, Orange, San Bernardino, Fontana, Pico Rivera, Redlands, Phoenix, and Rancho Cucamonga.
Smith brandished a firearm in each of these robberies to control the stores’ employees.
After Smith robbed the Rancho Cucamonga PetSmart store, stealing $400 from a store employee, he exited the store and law enforcement, which included federal officers, confronted him.
Smith then opened fire at the officers.
Smith then entered his vehicle and sped off, leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase, during which he fired his gun numerous times at pursuing officers. The chase ended when law enforcement rammed into Smith’s vehicle.
According to court documents, when law enforcement approached Smith’s car, they determined he had suffered a gunshot wound underneath his chin.
Smith told officers who were performing life-saving measures that when they rammed into his vehicle, he accidentally shot himself, according to an affidavit filed with a criminal complaint in this case.
U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal scheduled a January 22, 2024 sentencing hearing. At that time, Smith faces up to life imprisonment.
The ATF Orange County Violent Crime Task Force investigated this matter. The task force, which is responsible for investigating serial robberies around Southern California, is comprised of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Brea Police Department; the Fullerton Police Department; the Santa Ana Police Department; and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey M. Chemerinsky, Chief of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Kevin J. Butler, also of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, are prosecuting this case.