Photos provided by the Los Angeles Police Department on July 17 show the Inglewood store where the robbers allegedly sold and bought merchandise stolen from other stores.
Members of the Los Angeles Special Investigations Unit were tasked with cracking down on shoplifting and other retail crimes in the area, making several arrests and searching stores.
Authorities said the store, whose name has not been released until now, is located at 2700 West Manchester Boulevard in Inglewood and had been under surveillance by the Los Angeles Organized Retail Crime Task Force for several months.
Photos released by police Wednesday identified the store as Tilt., located at 2720 West Manchester Boulevard.
In March, another local business reported the theft to Los Angeles Police, who ultimately identified the Inglewood business as the buyer of the stolen goods.
On Tuesday, ORCTF investigators received a report from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department of a “flash robbery” that had occurred at a store in East Los Angeles.
The sheriff's office said they were investigating the suspects for past crimes and knew they had sold stolen goods to stores in Englewood.
A description of the suspect was provided to Special Investigations Unit investigators who were monitoring the Englewood store while waiting for the search warrant to be executed.
During that time, a black BMW pulled up and three people matching the description of the suspects got out carrying boxes of shoes and clothing and went into the store.
Once the suspect was inside the building, agents executed a search warrant and began making arrests.
The five men arrested were Aaron Israel, 42, of Los Angeles; Trevian Holmes, 36, of Inglewood; Brian McKing, 24, of Los Angeles; Jahiem Gillette, 21; and Devontay Pinson, 24, all of Los Angeles.
Israel could be charged as a felon in possession of a firearm, Holmes could be charged with receiving stolen property and Macking, Gillette and Pinson could be charged with robbery.
During the search, officers discovered a firearm, an undisclosed amount of cash, and multiple items that had been stolen from a local store. The owners of the stolen items were subsequently able to identify and recover the items.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this incident or any other retail crimes is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department's tip line at 877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be provided online or by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
Any videos or photos which may assist with the investigation can be emailed to the Organised Retail Crime Unit.
