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Investigations following a series of armed robberies in downtown Los Angeles have led to the arrest of three suspects, including one who has already been arrested three times this year before being released on the streets and allowed to repeat the alleged crimes.
Matthew Adams, 18, has been arrested for the fourth time this year after allegedly attacking two UCLA students outside a home, stealing two expensive watches and an iPhone worth more than $ 145,000, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement. Angeles.
Adams is also believed to be linked to a series of at least four other armed robberies at home – where an perpetrator pursues a victim from a public location before attacking a more private location – where he and other perpetrators followed people fleeing luxury restaurants and clubs. in the Hollywood area, back to their apartments or hotels, police said.
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Two other men, Eric Wilson and Jay Sparks, were also arrested along with Adams in connection with the same crimes, police said. Several other unknown suspects remain at large, Fox 11 reported.
In one incident, Adams and an unknown suspect followed two male victims, both visiting from abroad, from a nightclub back to their hotel rooms. As soon as they arrived at the house, the suspects robbed the victims of a high quality watch and other property before leaving the scene.
In another incident later that week, Adams, Sparks and other perpetrators followed two men from a nightclub to an area where they were eating. The suspects then attacked and robbed the victims of a watch, jewelry and cash before leaving the scene, police said.
On March 24, LAPD officers arrested and detained Wilson and Sparks in connection with the robberies, and after Metropolitan Division officers secured a warrant, police searching their apartment found weapons, bullets and stolen items, they said.
Wilson was charged with one count of possession of a firearm while Sparks was charged with two counts of robbery and one count of possession of a firearm, the LAPD reported.
On March 31, Adams was arrested during a traffic jam and charged with one count of first-degree burglary and six counts of second-degree robbery, as well as two remedial weapons, for crimes committed between Jan. 7 and March 30, police said. .
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If convicted, the 18-year-old suspect faces up to 20 years in prison, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Adams’ arrest was particularly noteworthy as he had previously been arrested on January 9, January 27 and February 21 and was released each time before committing these additional robberies, the LAPD reported.
On January 9, Adams was arrested for his role in the robbery of a luxury jewelry store two days earlier. He then issued a bond.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michelle Moore speaks during a news conference at LAPD headquarters in Los Angeles. . (AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
On January 27, Adams was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm, but was later released.
On February 21, Adams was arrested again for possessing a concealed weapon. He was released again.
LAPD leader Michel Moore has given lenient detention protocols that allow repeat offenders to be released back into the streets, in new policies enacted by Los Angeles County Attorney George Gascon.
Los Angeles County Attorney George Gascon speaks at a press conference on December 8, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK / AFP via Getty Images)
Moore has repeatedly called for further improvements in sentences, which he says will keep repeat offenders locked up, and renewed those calls during a police commission meeting on Tuesday.
“Today, we see that the use of improvements has been drastically reduced,” said the Los Angeles chief, Patch reported. “I do not think this is in line with the underlying importance of these improvements in preventing others from engaging in serious violent crime with the use of a firearm.”
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“While I appreciate the files that have been received, I am disappointed that the full weight of the existing laws and the support of our prosecutor and the court to hold this person accountable and hold him accountable has been lost.” Moore added, according to the report.