LOS ANGELES—Four men have been charged in connection with organized retail thefts at Ross Dress for Less stores in Los Angeles and Culver City late last month, prosecutors announced on Sept. 1.
Valentino Skinner, 22, Marquis Marshall, 31, Isaiah Tobias, 32, and Avery Tywann, 43, each face one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and two counts of second-degree robbery. Mr. Skinner and Mr. Marshall each also face two counts of grand theft. Mr. Marshall and Mr. Tobias’ charges include special allegations of one or more serious or violent felony convictions, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said.
“This type of criminal activity places an enormous burden on our local businesses and is an assault against our entire community,” he said. “My office will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the law and the negative impact it has on our economy and neighborhoods.”
Mr. Skinner, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Tywann pleaded not guilty at their arraignments on Aug. 30 at the Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. Mr. Tobias pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in the same courthouse the following day. Preliminary hearings are scheduled to be set on Sept. 13.
On Aug. 25, Mr. Skinner and Mr. Marshall allegedly drove to Ross Dress for Less located at 8985 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. They are accused of entering the store and immediately taking merchandise in the presence of store employees.
Three days later, at about 6:17 p.m., prosecutors allege Mr. Skinner, Mr. Marshall, and Mr. Tobias entered the Ross Dress for Less store at 10818 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City and immediately began to take merchandise without paying. Mr. Tywann allegedly waited in a getaway car. The four defendants allegedly drove together to the area of Alvarado and 8th streets—an area known for the resale of stolen items, prosecutors said.
Anyone with information about these types of incidents or the identity of additional suspects is asked to call the Organized Retail Crime Task Force at 818-374-9420.
