Duo suspected in Rowland Heights robbery of couple now face more counts in five-month string of heists
Two men suspected of robbing a couple at 99 Ranch Market in Rowland Heights in July are now accused of a string of daytime robberies across the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office said on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Dangelo Thomas, 25, faces 12 counts of second-degree robbery and three counts of elder abuse; and Demoryie Watts, 21, was charged with six counts of second-degree robbery and one count of elder abuse stemming from their alleged roles in a five month robbery spree that targeted victims from the Asian-American community, according to the District Attorney’s office. The pair also face special allegations of using a firearm.
They are set to be arraigned Thursday, Sept. 8, at Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pomona.
The spree began in April when Thomas allegedly robbed a man of a Rolex watch, jewelry and cash along a commercial street in Glendale.
Similar incidents followed in Rosemead, La Puente, Glendale and Temple City, with various items and cash stolen — including one instance where $14,000 was taken.
A couple in Fullerton was also robbed of roughly $10,000 in May.
On July 9, a 64-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman in the parking lot of the Asian grocery store in Rowland Heights were allegedly assaulted by the pair, both of whom were armed, seriously injuring the man before taking his watch.
The two then fled in a white Dodge Challenger.
Watts was found in Lancaster in August and arrested on suspicion of the Rowland Heights robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm and for parole violation, authorities said. Thomas was arrested two weeks later in Long Beach on suspicion of that robbery.
A third suspect, Eric Burham, 22, faces one count of second-degree robbery involving an alleged May 11 attack with the other two suspects in Glendale.
“These brazen crimes – all of which occurred during the day – are deeply troubling. The victims had their sense of safety shattered,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.
“I hope that all of those who have been impacted by this spree of violence sleep better tonight knowing that those who caused harm will be held accountable,” he said.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation into the spree remains ongoing.
City News Service contributed to this report.