CrimeSep 20, 2024
Oregon Jeweler Sentenced to 20 Years for Stealing From, Defrauding Customers CrimeOct 03, 2024
Man Who Shared Spoils of $2.7M Smash-and-Grab on Social Media Pleads Guilty to Robbery Charge
Ladell Tharpe, 39, took part in a 2022 jewelry store robbery and then posted pictures of cash on Instagram with the text “Robbery Gang.”
Three individuals charged in the March 2022 smash-and-grab robbery at California jewelry store Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills have now pleaded guilty in the case. One of the perpetrators posted piles of cash on Instagram after the robbery, while another lost his cell phone at the scene.
Los Angeles—A California man has pleaded guilty to his role in a midday smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in Beverly Hills, California, in 2022.
On Sept. 30, 39-year-old Ladell Tharpe of Long Beach, California, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (also known as Hobbs Act robbery) for his role in the March 22, 2022, smash-and-grab at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a news release.
According to his plea agreement, Tharpe led the cars used to transport the robbers and the getaway car to the store on South Beverly Drive, then acted as the lookout while his co-conspirators proceeded to smash up the store.
The Beverly Hills Police Department said up to six suspects, all wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts, used axes, sledgehammers, and crowbars.
They smashed the store’s display cases while customers and employees were in the store and made off with at least 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings, and 20 watches, all valued at $2.7 million, the DOJ said.
After the robbery, Tharpe posted pictures of large amounts of cash on Instagram accompanied by a caption that praised his “Robbery Gang.”
Related stories will be right here …
On Sept. 30, 39-year-old Ladell Tharpe of Long Beach, California, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (also known as Hobbs Act robbery) for his role in the March 22, 2022, smash-and-grab at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a news release.
According to his plea agreement, Tharpe led the cars used to transport the robbers and the getaway car to the store on South Beverly Drive, then acted as the lookout while his co-conspirators proceeded to smash up the store.
The Beverly Hills Police Department said up to six suspects, all wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts, used axes, sledgehammers, and crowbars.
They smashed the store’s display cases while customers and employees were in the store and made off with at least 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings, and 20 watches, all valued at $2.7 million, the DOJ said.
After the robbery, Tharpe posted pictures of large amounts of cash on Instagram accompanied by a caption that praised his “Robbery Gang.”
Beverly Hills police worked with the FBI on the case.
In September 2022, six months after the robbery, they arrested three other individuals in connection with the case: 33-year-old Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 22-year-old Deshon Bell, and a juvenile, all of Long Beach.
At the time of their arrest, Tharpe already was in custody for an unrelated offense.
According to the DOJ, Bell, who acted as the getaway driver, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
He was sentenced on Feb. 26 to one year and one day in federal prison.
Vernon was one of the perpetrators who went into the jewelry store and smashed up the display cases, according to the DOJ.
His cell phone fell out of the pocket of his sweatpants during the robbery and was recovered by law enforcement at the scene.
He pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery in August. His sentencing is set for Dec. 5.
Tharpe’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025.
Both Tharpe and Vernon face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
A spokesperson for the Beverly Hills Police Department said the case of the March 22 smash-and-grab robbery at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills is now closed.
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
Weekly QuizJun 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
GradingJun 11, 2025
Tiffany Stevens Exits IGI, Lab Appoints New Board LeaderIndustry veteran Anoop Mehta is the new chairman and independent director of the IGI board.
Events & AwardsJun 11, 2025
Kering Announces Winners of Sustainability-Focused AwardThe winners of the inaugural “Kering Generation Award x Jewelry” are student Lee Min Seo and China-based startup Ianyan.
