Beverly Hills Jewelry Store Robber Gets 7 Years In Federal Prison For $2.7M Heist

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A 39-year-old man was sentenced Monday to seven years in federal prison for his role in a daytime smash-and-grab robbery of a Beverly Hills jewelry store. In 2022, he and his accomplices made off with nearly $2.7 million worth of merchandise before showing off the haul on Instagram.

Ladell Tharpe, of Long Beach, pleaded guilty in Los Angeles federal court in September to one count of interference with commerce by robbery — known as a Hobbs Act crime. He was sentenced on Monday and ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Tharpe and several accomplices in March 2022 robbed the Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills store. Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 33, of Long Beach, used heavy tools to smash a display case and remove merchandise valued at nearly $2.7 million — including 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings and 20 watches, according to prosecutors.

Tharpe led cars used to transport the robbers and the getaway vehicle to the store. He also conducted surveillance and served as a lookout for the robbers, prosecutors said.

Vernon and his accomplices ran out of the store, leaving behind their car — which had been reported stolen from Long Beach four days before the robbery. Vernon's cell phone fell out of his pocket while he smashed the store's window and was later recovered by law enforcement, prosecutors said.

Two days after the robbery, Tharpe posted on Instagram several photos, including large stacks of money and a message praising his "robbery gang," according to prosecutors.

Bell and Vernon each pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery. Bell was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison in February 2024, and was ordered to pay some $2.7 million in restitution.

Vernon was sentenced last month to six years and eight months in prison and was also ordered to pay $2.7 million in restitution.