Two Arrested In Covina Coin Store Burglaries

COVINA, CA —Two men were arrested on suspicion of burglarizing a Covina coin and precious metal store over the summer, authorities say. The same suspects also burglarized multiple other collectible stores across the southland, officials said.

Caleb Jamal Griffin, 20, of Long Beach and Owen Lazaro Thompson, 49, of Las Vegas, were arrested on Sunday, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, which worked with local law enforcement agencies on the case.

The suspects were charged with netting over $292,000 in stolen coins and merchandise, according to an ATF statement. On the morning of July 28, Covina Coin and Jewelry was burglarized. The multiple burglaries of similar styled stores continued across Southern California and Nevada for at least two months.

Investigators allege that during the burglaries, the suspects would shatter the glass windows at the front of the stores. The manner of entry was not always the same. In a Fullerton burglary, the suspects allegedly rammed a vehicle through the front of the store. In another burglary, a blow torch was used to heat and then shatter a store window. Once they shattered the glass, the suspects would use two ropes to yank security gates down and gain entry before fleeing.

Both Griffin and Thompson were charged with interstate transportation of stolen goods, the ATF reported.

"Griffin was arrested ... after he was observed burglarizing a coin dealer," according to ATF. "Thompson was arrested at his residence without incident, and a search warrant executed there resulted in the seizure of suspected stolen merchandise from the crime spree."

Griffin and Thompson are accused of burglaries at:

• Fullerton Coins, 123 N. Raymond Ave., Fullerton on July 10 and 14, Aug. 29 and Sept. 29
• Tangible Investments, 32001 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach on July 27
• Covina Coin & Jewelry, 204 S. Citrus Ave., Covina on July 28
• Morgan's Jewelers, 50-C Peninsula Center, Rolling Hills Estates on Aug. 13
• Morgan's Jewelers, 22200 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance on Aug. 13
• Laguna Coins, 23583 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods on Aug. 16
• Sahara Coins, 7293 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas on Aug. 18
• Liberty Coins, 2201 East Willow St., Signal Hill on Aug. 26
• CNC Coins Vault, 1814 N. Tustin Ave., Santa Ana on Aug. 26
• Quicksilver Coin Company, 22421 El Toro Road, Lake Forest on Aug. 27
• Imperial Pawnbrokers, a federal firearms licensee, 777 W. Imperial Highway, Brea on Aug. 29
• Liberty Coins, 2201 East Willow St., Signal Hill on Sept. 1
• Liberty Coin, 10122 Ave., Huntington Beach on Sept. 8
• Las Vegas Coin Company, 9555 S. Eastern Ave., Las Vegas on Sept. 17
• Alhambra Coin Center, 254 E. Main St., Alhambra on Sept. 21
• Hough Coin, 16816-D Main St., Hesperia on Sept. 24

The suspects are also accused of attempted burglaries at: -

• About Face Coins, 475 N. Tustin St., Orange on Aug. 4
• Liberty Coin, 10122 Ave., Huntington Beach on Aug. 11. 11.