A man wanted for his alleged involvement in the armed robberies of several armored vehicles over the past year was arrested last night in Rancho Cucamonga by the FBI’s Fugitive Task Force, it was announced by Donald Alway, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, on behalf of partners with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Hawthorne Police Department, and the Inglewood Police Department.
On February 17, a federal arrest warrant was issued for James Russell Davis, 34, in the United States District Court, Central District of Central California, after he was charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
The aforementioned robberies have been linked to a group nicknamed the “Chesapeake Bandits” since investigators believe the group is meeting and staging the robberies at a residence on Chesapeake Avenue in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Multiple suspects not yet identified are still being sought by law enforcement and the FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 in exchange for information leading to an arrest in this case.
Anyone who may recognize suspect clothing or may have heard someone discussing their involvement is urged to call the FBI with a tip. Anonymity may be requested and confidentiality is guaranteed.
Collectively, the group has been linked to robberies with losses of more than $500,000. Investigators believe the group will continue to commit robberies until all suspects are identified and arrested. Investigators believe the armored vehicle drivers were surveilled in advance of the robberies.
Davis was charged in the complaint as was Deneyvous Hobson, 36, of Los Angeles. Hobson was arrested on Tuesday, February 21, and was detained at his initial appearance in federal court. He is being held in federal custody in Los Angeles and is scheduled to be arraigned on March 16. Davis and Hobson were indicted by a federal grand jury on March 8.
An arrest warrant had been issued for Davis and he was the subject of a wanted poster found here: WantedJamesRussellDavis
At least five other individuals are believed to be part of the Chesapeake Bandits are currently unknown subjects. Surveillance photos of the unknown subjects can be found here: WantedUnknownSubjects
This group has targeted drive-thru ATMs and other businesses, including check-cashing locations. The suspects operate by overtaking the armored car driver when they service drive-thru ATMs or exit businesses. During the robberies, the victim drivers are zip-tied and held at gunpoint. The suspects then enter the armed vehicle and steal the money.
On one occasion, a shot was fired but no one was harmed. Investigators believe that if the remaining Chesapeake Bandits suspects are not caught, they will become more brazen, and someone will be harmed or killed.
Anyone with information about the Chesapeake Bandits is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800 CALL FBI. Anyone who would like to provide a tip online can do so at https://tips.fbi.gov/.
Brinks, one of the victim companies, has offered to match the FBI’s reward offer of up to $25,000 in exchange for information leading to the arrest and indictment of anyone involved in the robberies of Brinks Armored Vehicles in the Los Angeles area. The reward will be paid to Crimestoppers or a related organization if it results in the case closure.
