Five men from the Bay Area have been implicated in a federal indictment for their alleged roles in an armed robbery that targeted an Oregon business, stealing a haul that included 200 Apple iPhones and five cameras.
The accused individuals, identified as Cankun He, Hailong Ma, Robert Maynard, Yuxiang Wei, and Jordan Cantie, reportedly conspired to rob a reshipping business situated in Portland, Oregon. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, the indictment, which was filed July 22 and unsealed on Monday, charges that the group meticulously planned and executed the theft on April 14.
Law enforcement authorities say Ma provided gear deceptively marked with "FBI" insignia, bulletproof vests, and zip ties for the operation. During the robbery, Maynard and Cantie allegedly simulated a police presence with flashing blue and red lights to gain entry before brandishing a weapon, securing employees with zip ties, and issuing threats to complete the theft.
After securing the stolen goods, the group is said to have driven back to California, where they were to meet up with He and distribute the loot. However, the plot seemingly began to unravel when another planned heist on May 19 in Hillsboro, Oregon, led to the arrest of Maynard and others. As the case develops, three defendants, Ma, He, and Wei, are to make court appearances – with Ma and He scheduled to be arraigned, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Currently, Cantie remains at large, while He, Ma, Maynard, and Wei are reportedly in custody since their arrests. If convicted, the suspects face up to 20 years in prison and fines that could reach $250,000 or twice the gross gain from the robbery. The case unfolds, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Yeh and Kenneth Chambers leading the prosecution.
