Two men from South America who were found to be in possession of a handgun registered to infamous former Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher Dorner, have been charged in a violent armed robbery of a $1 million watch from a man in Beverly Hills earlier this month, officials announced Tuesday.
Prosecutors with the United States District Attorney’s Central District of California Office say that on Aug. 7 the victim, his wife and two daughters were on the patio of a restaurant at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel when they were approached by 21-year-old Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, from Colombia and 19-year-old Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, from Venezuela.
One of the men reportedly brandished a black semi-automatic handgun, pulled back the slide, chambering a round and pointed it at the victim, according to a USAO news release.
While he held the man at gunpoint, the second suspect removed a silver Patek Philippe watch estimated to be worth $1 million from the victim’s wrist.
The suspects then fled the scene in a blue Toyota Corolla with the 21-year-old behind the wheel, the release noted.
Three days later, on Aug. 10, investigators served a search warrant at an Exposition Park Airbnb where the two men with possible ties to a “crime tourism” group were believed to have been staying.
Prosecutors say security cameras at the Airbnb location showed the group leaving the night before.
It was during the search of one of the bedrooms that police found the handgun belonging to former LAPD Officer and Navy Reservist Christopher Dorner, who went on a murderous rampage in February 2013, killing four people and wounding three others in targeted attacks.
The incident sparked one of the largest manhunts in the history of Southern California, with Dorner taking his own life days later after a shootout with law enforcement in the San Bernardino Mountains.
Only hours after searching the Airbnb, police pulled over two men in a Chevrolet Equinox believed to be linked to another armed robbery in Beverly Hills on Aug. 5, during which a $30,000 Rolex watch was stolen.
Sepulveda and Padron were identified as the two suspects inside the Equinox and were taken into custody.
“We will not accept violent crime perpetrated by organized crime groups that exploit the freedoms of our country,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Our number one mission is to protect our community and those who undermine public safety will be held accountable. We should all be grateful for the swift actions of law enforcement in apprehending these suspects before they could cause more harm.”
Sepulveda has been charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted on all counts he could face life in federal prison.
Padron was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. If convicted as charged, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
It is unclear how a firearm registered to Christopher Dorner came into their possession or if that firearm was used during the robbery of the Patek Philippe watch.
Detectives with Homeland Investigations, the Beverly Hills Police and Blythe Police departments are continuing to investigate the case.