A group of suspects accused of burglarizing over 130 businesses across Southern California was arrested, police announced Tuesday.
The suspects were identified by the Los Angeles Police Department as:
- Jacob Pugh, 19, from Lawndale
- Kewon Stevenson, 25, from Los Angeles
- An unidentified juvenile suspect
The burglaries took place between March to June 2023 and the suspects generally targeted smaller family-owned restaurants. Many of the restaurants were focused on Asian and Eastern food, LAPD said.
The group was dubbed the “Punch Crew” by detectives for their “use of a sharp punch tool to break the glass of the door or window” of targeted businesses.
Once inside, the trio would ransack the shop, removing cash registers and any electronic tablets or devices.
The crew is believed to be responsible for burglarizing at least 131 businesses throughout L.A. County, police said. Many of the break-ins left significant and costly damages.
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Thefts suspects known as the “Punch Crew” were arrested for burglarizing over 130 small businesses across Southern California. (Los Angeles Police Department) -
Thefts suspects known as the “Punch Crew” were arrested for burglarizing over 130 small businesses across Southern California. (Los Angeles Police Department) -
Thefts suspects known as the “Punch Crew” were arrested for burglarizing over 130 small businesses across Southern California. (Los Angeles Police Department)
