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How arrests in armed robbery of $1 million watch led to a handgun registered to Christopher Dorner
Authorities say they've recovered a handgun registered to Christoper Dorner, a former LAPD officer who killed four people and led authorities on a wild pursuit in 2013.
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Federal prosecutors on Tuesday announced armed robbery charges against two men connected to the theft of a $1 million watch taken from a man sitting on the patio at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel earlier this month. Authorities say the men, both from South American countries, were part of what they call a "crime tourism" group.
Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, 21, of Colombia was charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, 19, of Venezuela, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
Sepulveda and Rojas are in custody and made their initial court appearances on Tuesday. Sepulveda's arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 3, and Rojas' for Sept. 19, both in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
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What happened
According to the federal complaint, Salazar and Rojas allegedly approached a man and his family earlier this month on the patio of a restaurant at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The man was held at gunpoint and his Patek Philipe watch was taken from his wrist. The watch is estimated to be worth $1 million.
Salazar and Rojas then allegedly fled and escaped the scene in a blue Toyota Corolla.
Several days later, authorities executed a search warrant at an Airbnb where the "South American theft group" had allegedly been staying. On the same day, officers performed a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Equinox and reportedly identified Sepulveda and Padron inside. The Equinox was linked to a separate armed robbery in Beverly Hills that occurred on Aug. 5. In that instance a $30,000 Rolex was stolen.
Connection to Christopher Dorner
Prosecutors allege a gun registered to former LAPD officer Christopher Dorner was recovered from the Airbnb the men were staying. Dorner killed four people and injured three others in 2013. A massive manhunt that ended in police shooting and killing Dorner riveted the nation. The connection, if any, is not yet clear.
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