A Long Beach man was sentenced Thursday to six years and eight months behind bars for participating in the daytime smash-and-grab robbery of a Beverly Hills jewelry store in which nearly $2.7 million worth of merchandise was stolen — and his cell phone was left at the scene.
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Jimmy Lee Vernon III, 33, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge George H. Wu to pay $2.67 million in restitution, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Vernon pleaded guilty in August to one count of interference with commerce by robbery — known as a Hobbs Act crime.
During the March 23, 2022 robbery of Luxury Jewels of Beverly Hills, Vernon used heavy tools to smash display cases, causing trauma to those inside the store, his plea agreement states.
Vernon then took jewelry and other items valued at nearly $2.7 million. The merchandise consisted of roughly 19 bracelets, seven pairs of earrings, four necklaces, a pair of obelisks, eight rings and 20 watches, court documents show.