A federal grand jury has indicted three individuals accused of a rash of armed robberies targeting Southern California businesses, including smoke shops and convenience stores, according to a Justice Department announcement. Charges brought against Antonio Lamar Bland, 36, Ronnie Tucker, 23, and Abigail Luckey, 49, include conspiracy, multiple counts of robbery under the Hobbs Act, attempted robbery, and firearm offenses, with Bland also having charges for illegal possession of a gun and ammunition due to his felony-record status.
Over a two-week period last year, Bland, Tucker, and Luckey are alleged to have preyed on stores in Los Angeles and Orange counties, and their arraignment is set to take place in the up-and-coming weeks. Inside these nighttime heists, Bland and Tucker frequently sported hooded sweatshirts and face masks while Luckey is said to have served as the driver ready to bolt from the scene in her white four-door sedan. In a spiral that culminated in an attempted robbery thwarted by an armed employee, "Members of the community should not have to think about being subjected to violence when they walk into a convenience store or business," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally in a statement obtained by the Justice Department website.
The defendants' crime spree encompassed a smattering of locations including nine 7-Elevens, and intermission saw Bland and Luckey tying the knot in Las Vegas in the midst of their criminal escapades. Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, emphasized the hefty prison terms awaited by the accused if convicted, stating that pooling resources and intelligence is a committed effort by law enforcement to, "keeping our communities safe." This focus seems especially pertinent when considering the specifics of the Downey donut shop incident, wherein the staff member defensively fired his weapon, effectively foiling the attempted heist.
The indictments are part of the larger "Operation Safe Cities" initiative aimed at stifling the rate of violent crime by honing in on prolific offenders, particularly those involved with illegal firearms and robberies, the Justice Department's release detailed. Bland and Tucker could face mandatory minimums for their alleged firearm use, with the added burden on Bland for his prior criminal convictions. With assistance from multiple local police departments, the FBI and the Burbank Police Department spearhead the ongoing investigation, meanwhile, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diane Roldan and J’me K. Forrest carry the prosecutorial charge. Burbank Police Chief Michael Albanese has expressed gratitude for the collective law enforcement effort, ensuring that, "Our community is safer because of it."
