Workings of Alleged Encino Theft Ring Outlined

LOS ANGELES, CA — Investigators outlined the inner workings of a vast gang conspiracy to burglarize celebrities and athletes across Los Angeles in a series of indictments unsealed Monday.

The crew was also accused of elder abuse and torture in a violent string of robberies that often targeted elderly Asian residents. In all, the crew is accused of 69 burglaries or robberies.

The grand jury indictments names 31 alleged gang members accusing them of 93 total felonies ranging from home invasion robbery, to elder abuse and torture. Two-thirds of the defendants pleaded not guilty Monday to participating in a burglary ring targeting elderly and Asian victims.

Eight other cases against some of the defendants -- including for allegedly burglarizing the homes of Los Angeles-area celebrities and athletes, including singer Rihanna, then-Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods -- are superseded by the indictments. The burglaries spanned Los Angeles County including victims in the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys as well as Hollywood and the Westside..

Detectives originally thought the burglaries targeting actors, producers musicians and professional athletes were set up at random but as more and more cases piled up, investigators later discovered the homes were selected based on social media posting and tour and travel schedules.

The burglaries followed a pattern called "flocking," whereby suspects flock to celebrities' neighborhoods, dressing in nice clothes and driving luxury vehicles to avoid suspicion as they search for targets. They would then change into casual clothing, including hoodies, and use a larger vehicle to haul away stolen items.

One suspect would typically knock or ring a doorbell to check if anyone was home before breaking into a residence, according to police.

The indictments reveal that rappers A$AP Rocky and Chief Keef were also burglarized.

Despite their losses, the celebrity victims were the lucky ones, according to investogators.

While the alleged crimes against celebrity victims were designed to take place when no one was at home, prosecutors said the ring sometimes attacked other victims.

According to two of the indictments, the elder abuse involved 72 and 76 year-old men who suffered great bodily injury. Some of the indictments remained sealed because the defendants have not been arrested or arraigned.

A pretrial hearing is set for April 5 downtown.

Six separate indictments were issued with counts including criminal street gang conspiracy; home invasion robbery; first-degree residential burglary; first-degree residential robbery; first-degree burglary, person present; elder abuse; torture; and mayhem, according to the District Attorney's Office. Defendants are also facing gang and gun allegations.

Tyress Williams, 19, was initially arrested Sept. 28 by Los Angeles police and charged in connection with those celebrity break-ins, while three other people were released from jail after prosecutors asked Los Angeles police to conduct further investigation.

Police said Williams was picked up after a traffic stop in South Los Angeles revealed a firearm and items believed to have been taken from burglarized homes.

Prosecutors allege the burglary ring worked from October 2017 through December 2018.

The majority of cases targeted elderly and Asian residents, according to the District Attorney's Office.

The defendants arraigned Monday include:

-- Hassan Murphy, 19, of Hawthorne;

-- Jshawne Lamon Daniels, 20, of Los Angeles;

-- Damaji Corey Hall, 19, of Los Angeles;

-- Lance Williams, 19, of Los Angeles;

-- Dekell Wright, 22, of Compton;

-- Elan Lamberto Gabourel, 25, of Hawthorne;

-- Tyress Williams, 19, of Van Nuys;

-- Joseph Holley, 23, of Bellflower;

-- Demonte Jordan Sears, 23, of Los Angeles;

-- Anthonyo Sanders, 20, of Los Angeles;

-- Kimya Wilson, 21, of Los Angeles;

-- Deanthony Lamart Chatman, 27, of Inglewood;

-- Deondra Devon Johnson, 24, of Los Angeles;

-- Akeem F. Lauriano, 28, of Lomita;

-- Scotty Richardson, 30, of Los Angeles;

-- Verlton Glaspie, 19, of Los Angeles;

-- Brandon Laititi, 25, of Carson;

-- Ron Simmons, 20, of Los Angeles;

-- Eric Harris, 20, of Gardena;

-- Donnie Faizon, 22, of Los Angeles;

-- Devin Garner, 25, of Los Angeles; and

-- Tyshon McKinney, 20, of Los Angeles.

The nine other defendants charged in the indictments were not yet in custody.

If convicted as charged, all of the defendants face a possible maximum sentence of life in state prison.

City New Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.