August 6, 2026
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Santa Monica Resident Named in $800K Theft Scheme

A Southern California pair reportedly traveled through 23 states, hitting a total of almost 200 stores starting in March 2022.

By Zach Armstrong

A man and a woman based in the Los Angeles metro were indicted with conspiracy charges and 10 counts of wire fraud related to an $800,000 retail theft scheme.

Jalen Amir Thomas and Armia Ta’Jae Timmons reportedly traveled through 23 states, hitting a total of almost 200 stores. From March 2022, the pair stopped at home improvement stores and used fake identities to rent construction equipment such as jumping jack tampers and vibratory plate compactors. Approximately 480 pieces of equipment were stolen from the stores.

The count of conspiracy and the wire fraud are punishable by as much as two decades in prison each along with a $250,000 fine. Thomas and Timmons have appeared in the US District Court in the Central District of California. Prosecutors look to request them to be transported to the Western District of Washington for arraignment.

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