Inglewood police nab suspect in gold chain thefts

Inglewood police have arrested a suspect in connection with a series of snatch-and-grab gold chain thefts that have been occurring in the city since the beginning of the year, authorities said.

Maleek Lawaun Thomas, 18, of Inglewood was arrested on Sept. 9, after he forcibly stole a gold necklace from a 59-year-old woman, the Inglewood Police Department said.

Lt. James D. Madia, a police spokesman, said the robbery was part of a pattern of snatch-and-grab thefts of gold necklaces that have plagued Inglewood and the Los Angeles County area this year.

"Law enforcement officials surmise that the robberies are the result of skyrocketing gold prices," Madia said in a statement.

Thomas was spotted by a citizen as he snatched the necklace from the victim’s neck and ran from the area of Prairie Avenue and 107th Street, Madia said. The witness followed Thomas and called police as the victim's adult son chased the suspect. Police arrived quickly and detained Thomas, Madia said.

After being identified, Thomas was arrested and booked for suspicion of robbery. He is being held on $350,000 bail, according to authorities.

Madia said Inglewood police had assembled a task force to address the spree of gold chain robberies, and extra personnel were on duty when Thomas was apprehended.

Inglewood has had more than 35 similar robberies since the beginning of the year, Madia said. As a part of the task force operation, citizens have joined police in distributing fliers warning residents of the crime spree and offering tips on how to avoid becoming a victim, Madia said.

Investigators collected evidence linking Thomas to three robberies and were tracking other leads that might connect him to additional crimes, Madia said. Authorities said they believed other gold chain snatch-and-grab suspects remain at large.

Anyone with information about these crimes is urged to contact Inglewood police at (310) 412-5249. Tips can also be left anonymously on the 24-hour hotline number: (888) 412-7463.

ALSO:

FBI investigating allegations of celebrity phone hacking

Woman thinks she won lottery jackpot after newspaper misprint

Asteroid near Earth: Fireball in Southwest prompts talk of UFO, aliens

-- Ann M. Simmons

Photo: Maleek Lawaun Thomas Credit: Inglewood Police Department