BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Jimmy Lee Vernon III, a 33-year-old man from Long Beach, was sentenced to 80 months in federal prison for his role in a March 2022 smash-and-grab robbery at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills, where nearly $2.7 million in high-end merchandise was stolen.
The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu, who also ordered Vernon to pay $2,674,600 in restitution to the jewelry store, which represents the value of the stolen items.
On March 22, 2022, Vernon and accomplices used heavy tools to smash display cases at the jewelry store, causing fear of injury to employees who were present during the robbery. The stolen items included 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, eight rings, and 20 watches, with a total value close to $2.6 million.
Following the robbery, Vernon and his accomplices fled the scene on foot, leaving behind a stolen Kia that had been reported missing from Long Beach just days earlier. Investigators discovered Vernon’s cellphone at the scene, which had fallen from his pocket during the robbery.
Two days after the heist, one of Vernon’s accomplices shared images on Instagram flaunting stacks of cash, along with a message boasting about their “robbery gang.”
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada remarked, “This defendant took part in a blatant assault on a store operating in daylight hours, believing he could rob and intimidate others with impunity. Now, he will serve a lengthy sentence in federal prison. Our office and our law enforcement partners will not tolerate these sorts of brazen attacks on our community.”
