LOS ANGELES
Two South American nationals, allegedly part of a “crime tourism” group, were charged Tuesday in a federal complaint for the armed robbery of a $1 million watch, officials stated.
During a search of the crew’s Airbnb, officers also discovered a handgun registered to the notorious former Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher Dorner, officials stated.
Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, 21, of Columbia, faces one count of robbery-related interference with commerce and one count of having a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime.
Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, 19, of Venezuela, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
Sepulveda and Padron are in custody. They are both presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
According to the complaint affidavit, on August 7, the victim was sitting with his wife and two daughters on the patio of a restaurant at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, when Suspect 1 allegedly approached and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the victim.
Suspect 1 reportedly pulled back the slide of the handgun, chambering a round.
While Suspect 1 held the victim at gunpoint, Suspect 2 allegedly approached and removed a silver Patek Philippe watch, which is estimated to be worth $1 million, from the victim’s wrist.
Both suspects then fled the scene and eventually entered a blue Toyota Corolla, where Sepulveda allegedly served as the getaway driver.
On August 10, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an Airbnb where the South American theft group had allegedly been staying.
Security camera footage showed the group leaving the night before. During the search, officers found a handgun in a bedroom that was registered to former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, known for committing a series of murders before dying in a dramatic standoff in 2013.
Later that day, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Equinox and reportedly identified Sepulveda and Padron inside the vehicle.
The Equinox was allegedly linked to another armed robbery in Beverly Hills on August 5, during which a $30,000 Rolex was stolen.
“We will not accept violent crime perpetrated by organized crime groups that exploit the freedoms of our country,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada.
If convicted on all counts, Sepulveda faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison, while Padron faces up to 20 years.
The Homeland Security Investigations, the Beverly Hills Police Department, and the Blythe, California, Police Department are investigating this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jena A. MacCabe and Kevin J. Butler of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this matter.