[LBPD releease text] On October 10, 2014, multiple felony charges were filed against 19-year-old Long Beach resident Kiongozi Jones in connection with a number of convenience store robberies (attempted and completed.)
On September 22 and 24, 2014, commercial robberies occurred at convenience stores in the 400 block of Atlantic Avenue and the 200 block of West Willow Street, respectively. In both incidents, the armed male suspect entered and demanded money from the cashier. On September 27 and 28, 2014, a male suspect attempted to commit an armed robbery to a convenience store located in the 1000 block of Long Beach Boulevard, however he was unsuccessful.
Long Beach Robbery Detective Mora began investigating the robberies and immediately recognized similarities. While Detective Mora believed the same person might be responsible for the robberies, it was learned that on September 29, 2014, a male suspect entered a convenience store in the 800 block of East Ocean Blvd and committed a robbery, demanding money from the clerk.
Fortunately, none of the clerks were injured during the commission of any of the robberies.
On October 7, 2014, an alert Long Beach resident saw a suspicious person hiding in the bushes in the 5000 block of Long Beach Boulevard and immediately called police. Officers arrived and arrested Kiongozi Jones for possession of a replica firearm.
As the investigation continued, additional evidence was recovered which led detectives to believe Jones was responsible for the armed commercial robberies.
On October 10, 2014, the case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, which filed three counts of robbery and three counts of attempted robbery charges against Jones. Kiongozi Jones is currently being held in Los Angeles County Jail.
Anyone with information regarding these crimes is asked to contact Long Beach Robbery Detective Mora at (562) 570-5536. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
