A 32-year-old Compton man suspected of stealing more than $170,000 worth of jewelry in a string of robberies in downtown Los Angeles’s Jewelry District was arrested Friday.
Traquan Lavon Bell is suspected of robbing at least four jewelry stores in the 600 block of South Hill Street beginning on March 23 when he allegedly entered a store and snatched $31,075 worth of jewelry from the owner’s hand, according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement.
Bell allegedly entered another jewelry store on the same block on June 23 and took a designer watch valued at $22,000 from the owner’s hand.
Police allege Bell entered two other stores on the same block on July 8 and Aug. 2 and stole jewelry valued at $40,000 and $77,170 respectively.
Bell was arrested by Los Angeles Police Department units in Costa Mesa Friday and jailed without bail, according to a department statement.
Police said they believe there may be additional robbery victims and asked for anyone with information to call LAPD Central Robbery Detectives at 213-996-1875. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online at lacrimestoppers.org.