2nd man arrested for alleged armed robberies linked to LA’s Chesapeake Bandits

By City News Service

while a standoff ensued with the suspect, who was holed up inside a lower-level room off the alley. LAPD SWAT officers deployed three robots into the alley to get a look at the suspect, who was ultimately determined to be “down,” and later pronounced dead.

The man was identified by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office as Jonathan Magana, 32, of Los Angeles. It was not immediately clear if Magana was fatally shot by police or died of a selfinflicted wound.

Authorities at the hospital eventually indicated that the officers were all in stable condition with injuries initially described as serious, although all are expected to recover.

Mayor Karen Bass went to the hospital Wednesday night and spoke with two of the injured officers.

“I deeply appreciate their service, and let them know that their city stands with them,” Bass said at the news conference outside the hospital. “And I very much look forward to their recovery. My heart goes out to the officers’ families who tonight got the phone call, or the knock on the door, that they dread every day that their loved one go on duty.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that the suspect — who was not immediately identified by police — had a lengthy criminal record. In January, the suspect was charged with battery on a police officer and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in connection with an incident late last year, The Times reported, citing court records and law enforcement sources.

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Asecond Los Angeles man charged for his alleged involvement in the armed robberies of several armored vehicles over the past year is behind bars Friday.

James Russell Davis, 34, was arrested late Wednesday in Rancho Cucamonga by the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force and ordered detained by a federal magistrate judge, according to Donald Always, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office.

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Davis last month after he was charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.

The robberies have been linked to a group nicknamed the Chesapeake Bandits since investigators believe the group is meeting and staging the robberies at a home on Chesapeake Avenue in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Multiple suspects not yet identified are still being sought by law enforcement. Investigators believe the group will continue to commit robberies until all suspects are identified and arrested.

Davis was charged in the complaint along with Deneyvous Hobson, 36, of Los Angeles. Hobson was arrested on Feb. 21, and is scheduled to be arraigned on March 16.

Davis and Hobson were indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday. At least five others are believed to be part of the Chesapeake Bandits.

The armed bandits have targeted drive-thru ATMs and other businesses, including check cashing locations. The suspects operate by overtaking the armored car driver when they service drive-thru ATMs or exit businesses. During the robberies, the victim drivers are zip-tied and held at gunpoint. The suspects then enter the armed vehicle and steal the money, authorities said.

On one occasion, a shot was fired but no one was harmed. Investigators believe that if the remaining Chesapeake Bandits suspects are not caught, they will become more brazen, and someone will be harmed or killed.

“Collectively, the group has been linked to robberies with losses in the hundreds of thousands (of dollars),” the FBI said in a statement. “Investigators believe the group will continue to commit robberies until all suspects are identified and arrested. Investigators believe the armored vehicle drivers were surveilled in advance of the robberies.”

The investigation is being conducted by personnel from the FBI and the Los Angeles, Hawthorne, and Inglewood police departments. The prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The following details were released about the crimes:

-- On Feb. 14, 2022 at 8:48 a.m., multiple suspects robbed a Sectran Security armored car driver at the Wescom Credit Union on 2871 W. 120th St. in Hawthorne. An AR-15 assault rifle and a black semi-automatic handgun were believed used in the crime, and a late model white Honda Accord sedan was the getaway vehicle.

-- On June 9, 2022 at 7:50 a.m., multiple suspects robbed a Loomis armored car driver at the Bank of America at 11525 Crenshaw Blvd. in Inglewood. A dark short-barreled assault rifle was believed used in the crime, and a late model silver or gray Chevrolet Equinox SUV was the getaway vehicle.

-- On Sept. 15, 2022 at 12:20 p.m., multiple suspects robbed a Brinks armored car driver at the PLS Check Cashers at 2601 S. La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles. A black assaultstyle rifle was believed used in the crime, and a late model gray Ford Explorer SUV was the getaway vehicle.

-- On Jan 9, 2023 at 7:15 a.m., multiple suspects robbed a Brinks armored car driver at a 99 Cents Only Stores location at 3060 S. Crenshaw Blvd. in Los Angeles. An AR-style rifle was believed used in the crime, and a late model black Kia K5 was the getaway vehicle.

-- And on Feb. 25, 2023 at 9:56 a.m., multiple suspects robbed a Brinks armored car driver at a PLS Check Cashers at 2601 S. La Brea Ave. in Los Angeles. A rifle with a green laser was believed used in the crime, and a late model tan/light colored SUV, possibly a white Toyota RAV4 SUV, was the getaway vehicle.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered by the FBI, for information in the overall case. Also, Brinks — one of the victim companies — has offered to match the FBI’s reward offer of up to $25,000 in exchange for information leading to the arrest and indictment of a person or persons involved in the robberies of the Brinks armored vehicles.

Anyone with information may call 800-CALL-FBI, or use the website TIPS.FBI. GOV. Tipsters may remain anonymous.