CrimeSep 20, 2024
Oregon Jeweler Sentenced to 20 Years for Stealing From, Defrauding Customers CrimeOct 03, 2024
Man Who Shared Spoils of $2.7M Smash-and-Grab on Social Media Pleads Guilty to Robbery Charge
Ladell Tharpe, 39, took part in a 2022 jewelry store robbery and then posted pictures of cash on Instagram with the text “Robbery Gang.”
Three individuals charged in the March 2022 smash-and-grab robbery at California jewelry store Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills have now pleaded guilty in the case. One of the perpetrators posted piles of cash on Instagram after the robbery, while another lost his cell phone at the scene.
Los Angeles—A California man has pleaded guilty to his role in a midday smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in Beverly Hills, California, in 2022.
On Sept. 30, 39-year-old Ladell Tharpe of Long Beach, California, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (also known as Hobbs Act robbery) for his role in the March 22, 2022, smash-and-grab at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a news release.
According to his plea agreement, Tharpe led the cars used to transport the robbers and the getaway car to the store on South Beverly Drive, then acted as the lookout while his co-conspirators proceeded to smash up the store.
The Beverly Hills Police Department said up to six suspects, all wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts, used axes, sledgehammers, and crowbars.
They smashed the store’s display cases while customers and employees were in the store and made off with at least 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings, and 20 watches, all valued at $2.7 million, the DOJ said.
After the robbery, Tharpe posted pictures of large amounts of cash on Instagram accompanied by a caption that praised his “Robbery Gang.”
Related stories will be right here …
On Sept. 30, 39-year-old Ladell Tharpe of Long Beach, California, pleaded guilty to one count of interference with commerce by robbery (also known as Hobbs Act robbery) for his role in the March 22, 2022, smash-and-grab at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a news release.
According to his plea agreement, Tharpe led the cars used to transport the robbers and the getaway car to the store on South Beverly Drive, then acted as the lookout while his co-conspirators proceeded to smash up the store.
The Beverly Hills Police Department said up to six suspects, all wearing masks and hooded sweatshirts, used axes, sledgehammers, and crowbars.
They smashed the store’s display cases while customers and employees were in the store and made off with at least 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings, and 20 watches, all valued at $2.7 million, the DOJ said.
After the robbery, Tharpe posted pictures of large amounts of cash on Instagram accompanied by a caption that praised his “Robbery Gang.”
Beverly Hills police worked with the FBI on the case.
In September 2022, six months after the robbery, they arrested three other individuals in connection with the case: 33-year-old Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 22-year-old Deshon Bell, and a juvenile, all of Long Beach.
At the time of their arrest, Tharpe already was in custody for an unrelated offense.
According to the DOJ, Bell, who acted as the getaway driver, pleaded guilty in December 2023 to one count of Hobbs Act robbery.
He was sentenced on Feb. 26 to one year and one day in federal prison.
Vernon was one of the perpetrators who went into the jewelry store and smashed up the display cases, according to the DOJ.
His cell phone fell out of the pocket of his sweatpants during the robbery and was recovered by law enforcement at the scene.
He pleaded guilty to one count of Hobbs Act robbery in August. His sentencing is set for Dec. 5.
Tharpe’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025.
Both Tharpe and Vernon face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.
A spokesperson for the Beverly Hills Police Department said the case of the March 22 smash-and-grab robbery at Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills is now closed.
The Latest
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
SurveysApr 01, 2026
Consumers’ Outlook Improves Again in MarchThe Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index edged up, with optimism about the present outweighing worries about the future.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
IndependentsApr 01, 2026
Zachary’s Jewelers’ Constance Polamalu to Release Children’s BookThe retailer’s Zach Bear gift comes to life in “Zach Bear and the Window Necklace,” which centers on curiosity, bravery, and helping.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2026
AGA Opens 2026 Gemological Scholarship, Research Grant ApplicationsApplications are open for the AGA Gemological Scholarship Program through May 15, and until June 2027 for the Gemological Research Grant.
ColumnistsMar 31, 2026
Q1 Clues That Reveal Where Your Jewelry Store’s Sales Are Heading These customer behavior patterns say a lot about how successful your jewelry store is going to be this year, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Mejuri Adds Silver to ‘Puzzle’ CollectionMejuri’s popular collection of 18-karat yellow gold vermeil rings debuted in sterling silver alongside new “Puzzle” slider charms.
CollectionsMar 31, 2026
Buddha Mama, Ashley Longshore to Host Pop-Up in DallasThe Miami-based jewelry brand and the NYC-based artist will be in Dallas from April 9-11.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
NDC Designates April 8 as 'World Diamond Day'The initiative invites those in the industry to share stories on social media highlighting the meaning and impact of natural diamonds.
SourcingMar 31, 2026
GIA VP Jillian Wolk to Take Over at Tracr Wolk’s first day on the job as CEO of Tracr, De Beers Group’s blockchain platform, will be May 1.
EditorsMar 30, 2026
Tom Moses Looks Back on His Decades at GIA Moses, who will leave the lab in May after nearly 50 years, discusses his start in the business, gemstones that stand out, and what’s next.
TrendsMar 30, 2026
Oscar Heyman Debuts First Spring CatalogThe new catalog, which showcases 35 one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, is a compliment to the company’s popular holiday catalog.
SourcingMar 30, 2026
Rio Tinto Hauls Last Load from DiavikProduction has ceased at the Canadian diamond mine, which has yielded more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds in its 23-year run.
MajorsMar 30, 2026
Tanishq Opens First New England LocationThe store opening marks the 10th United States location for the India-based jewelry retailer.
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Introduce New ScholarshipIt’s the third scholarship to be launched as part of the partnership to help appraisers advance their professional credentials.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2026
JA Still Accepting Entries for 2026 CASE AwardsThe deadline for entries in the jewelry design competition has been extended to April 3.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
