A federal grand jury has indicted three individuals for a series of armed robberies across Southern California, as announced by the Justice Department. Antonio Lamar Bland, Ronnie Tucker, and Abigail Luckey face charges including conspiracy to commit robbery under the Hobbs Act, multiple counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and attempted robbery.
The indictment accuses Bland and Tucker of brandishing firearms during these crimes. Bland faces additional charges for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition due to prior felony convictions.
Arraignment for the defendants is expected soon in Los Angeles, with a trial date set for May 6. All three have been in custody since last year.
Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally stated that community members should not fear violence when entering businesses. He emphasized that violent crime remains a priority for his office. Akil Davis from the FBI highlighted the trauma victims face during such incidents and reiterated the commitment to community safety.
Burbank Police Chief Michael Albanese praised law enforcement collaboration in addressing this case, noting hundreds of investigative hours spent by his department.
The alleged crime spree spanned from January 29 to February 14, 2024, targeting smoke shops, convenience stores, and donut shops in Los Angeles and Orange counties. The robberies often involved Bland and Tucker entering businesses while Luckey waited outside as a getaway driver.
During an attempted robbery on February 14 at a Downey donut shop, an employee fired a gunshot after noticing one suspect's weapon. This incident led to the suspects fleeing but they were soon apprehended by law enforcement who recovered a firearm from their vehicle.
If convicted on all charges, Bland, Tucker, and Luckey could face significant prison time. Operation Safe Cities aims to prioritize prosecuting major drivers of violent crime through strategic enforcement efforts involving multiple law enforcement agencies across the region.
Assistant United States Attorneys Diane Roldan and J’me K. Forrest are leading the prosecution.