LOS ANGELES, CA – Four men from Los Angeles County have been apprehended and charged with felonies for allegedly carrying out a series of armed robberies targeting 7-Eleven convenience stores over a nearly two-month period.
The suspects were identified after one of them posted images of their ill-gotten gains on Instagram, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The accused are Charles Christopher, 24, of Compton; Jordan Leonard, 25, of Torrance; D’Angelo Spencer, 26, of South Los Angeles; and Tazjar Rouse, 22, of Hollywood.
An unsealed indictment reveals that the men conducted a string of robberies from November 4, 2023, to December 24, 2023. While they primarily focused on 7-Eleven stores in South Los Angeles, they also hit a CVS in Hollywood. The DOJ reported that the group used a BMW for their heists, entering the stores, jumping over counters, and seizing cash from the registers, which they stashed in a black Nike bag.
Authorities allege that either Christopher or Leonard would typically brandish a firearm, demanding cell phones or wallets from store employees or customers. On November 28, 2023, after one such robbery, Leonard allegedly posted a photo on Instagram flaunting stacks of cash with the caption, “love my bros we go hit every time,” tagging his co-defendants Christopher and Spencer.
The men were arrested on Tuesday and are facing charges of interfering with commerce by robbery and conspiracy, among other federal robbery charges. Christopher and Leonard were arraigned in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, where they pleaded not guilty and were remanded without bond. Their trial is set for September 17. Spencer is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, while Rouse was arraigned in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri.
If found guilty, the defendants could face up to 20 years in federal prison for each robbery-related charge. Additionally, brandishing a firearm during the crimes carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum of life in prison. The DOJ noted that the total amount stolen during the crime spree was approximately $7,600.
“Anyone thinking that violent robberies are a good way to make money should take note that there will be consequences for your actions,” stated U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. The investigation is ongoing, led by the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department.