A rash of high profile burglaries has plagued the Hollywood Hills over the past several months. Now, the suspects have been charged and their stash is slowly turning up.
According to the LA Times, the latest haul of stolen goods came when police arrested one of the elder of suspects, 27 year old Jonathan Ajar. In his home they reportedly found a handgun allegedly stolen from Brian Austin Green, as well as a stash of weapons, a Cartier watch, find jewelry, and more than 42 carats of cut diamonds.
The ring of thieves being called the Bling Ring would break into celebrity properties, steal jewelry and other valuables and then wear and sell them. So far, those arrested include Ajar, Courtney Ames, 18, Diana Tamayo, 19, Rachel Lee, 19, Nicholas Frank Prugo, 18, Alexis Neiers, 18, and Roy Lopez, 27.
The crew is facing a slew of charges and several of them are out on bail at the time of this post.
Victims of the Bling Ring include Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, Audrina Patridge, Rachel Bilson, Orlando Bloom, and Brian Austin Green. According to another Times article, the victim’s homes were easy for the public to find via the Internet and none of them knew the suspects.
The girls involved are said to be longtime friends and all attend the same school. Ajar, however, is reported to be a convicted felon and may be who helped the younger suspects with the strategics of navigating the crime world.
Home burglaries are very serious crimes. They often involve two separate crimes, the entering of the home and the taking of property. The vast majority of theft crimes we see in California criminal courts, however, are far from this complex.
Theft can be as simple as shoplifting or as serious as auto theft. For a petty theft charge you will face misdemeanor penalties while grand theft, applying to instances valued at more than $400, you could face a misdemeanor or a felony charge.
Having an experienced criminal defense attorney with you on your day in court can impact your confidence and can dramatically impact your entire case.
If you are up against theft charges and aren’t sure where to turn, our lawyers can help. We will assist you in navigating the system and working towards the most favorable outcome. Call us immediately for free legal advice and to discuss how we can help.