A North Hollywood man could spend the next 20 years in prison if he is convicted of robbing 11 stores in Southern California.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, suspect Antonio Bland robbed nine 7-Elevens, a smoke shop and a donut shop between January 29 and February 14. Most were spread across Los Angeles County; However, one robbery occurred in Orange County.
Federal prosecutors have charged Bland with attempted interference with commerce by theft under the Hobbs Act. A federal court jailed him without bond.
Investigators said most robberies occurred late at night and typically involved an accomplice and getaway driver. Bland’s alleged attack ended in the early morning hours of Feb. 14 when he and two other people allegedly tried to rob a donut shop in Downey, the DOJ said.
They tried to force the clerk to give them the money from the cash register, but he ran to the kitchen to get a gun. With all three armed robbers within feet of him, the clerk took out his firearm and fired at least one shot. The suspects then ran out of the store and jumped into their getaway car.
Officers witnessed the armed robbery and chased the suspects’ car. Police eventually arrested Bland and the two other individuals. Investigators said they recovered a firearm from the car.
Two of Bland’s alleged accomplices, 22-year-old Ronnie Tucker and 49-year-old Abigail Luckey, have been charged with theft under the Hobbs Act. Luckey was released on bail but did not appear in court. She is considered a fugitive.
