Two men from Los Angeles have been convicted following a series of robberies at various BevMo locations that concluded with a police pursuit and foot chase through Los Angeles County. Anthony Flores, 28, and Ivin Kitu Sanford, 32, were found guilty of Hobbs Act robbery crimes that occurred over a 10-day period beginning in May 2023, as documented in court papers.
According to the report, Flores and Sanford targeted high-end liquor, often secured behind protective glass, and were not averse to using threats of violence against employees during the heists. The duo's criminal activities included thefts from a Long Beach BevMo, where Flores stole about $2,604 in liquor, and a Lakewood location where around $800 worth of spirits were taken. Furthermore, Sanford faced accusations of robbery plots involving additional BevMo outlets in Pasadena and West Covina.
After Flores was arrested and then released, the pair attempted another heist on June 5, 2023, at the Canyon Country BevMo store. There, they overpowered a store worker and attempted to make off with more bottles of high-end liquor. Their escape was short-lived; the robbers crashed a stolen silver Dodge Charger into a tree during a police chase and subsequently fled on foot, leading officers across six busy lanes of traffic on the California State Route 14. They were eventually located and apprehended in a barren area, hiding among shrubbery.
"Callous disregard for the law undermines our community's sense of safety," stated United States Attorney Martin Estrada in response to the guilty verdict. "These defendants’ violent robberies and attempts to evade officers put lives at risk. Our Operation Safe Cities initiative aims to ensure that violent crimes are met with serious consequences, and today’s convictions demonstrate our steadfast commitment to that goal," as the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California reported. The sentencing is set for October 24 by United States District Judge Hernán D. Vera.
The investigation leading to the conviction of Flores and Sanford involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the West Covina Police Department, and the Long Beach Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe from the Violent and Organized Crime Section headed the prosecution. A third defendant linked to the spree, Jabco Hardgraves, is still awaiting a trial date.
