Trio allegedly behind Southland pharmacy burglaries arrested
A trio of men is believed to be responsible for a series of pharmacy burglaries that took place in parts of Los Angeles County, including Burbank and Glendale, according to police.
The thieves are also thought to have burglarized pharmacies in Pasadena and Los Angeles between January and February based on video surveillance and evidence found at each scene.
Sgt. Derek Green, a Burbank Police Department spokesman, said the agency acted as the lead investigator in the burglaries. Burbank detectives investigated at least two burglaries that had occurred within city limits and two attempted burglaries, all believed to have been committed by the trio.
During one burglary, according to Green, the thieves broke into a hair salon in the 1700 block of West Magnolia Boulevard and cut a hole into a shared wall with a neighboring pharmacy.
They entered through the hole and stole a large amount of prescription medication, including hydrocodone.
The same thieves were thought to have attempted to break into two pharmacies on Jan. 21, one in the 1200 block of West Magnolia Boulevard and the other in the 300 block of East Alameda Avenue. In the latter incident, a nail salon next to a pharmacy was broken into.
Three men were eventually identified by authorities as suspects, according to Green.
Desmond Sims, a 24-year-old from Riverside, was arrested by Burbank police on Feb. 4 in Inglewood. Brandon Bradford, a 27-year-old from Los Angeles, was arrested by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department on March 19.
On March 26, officers with the U.S. Marshal Service arrested Rayquan Florence, an 18-year-old from Los Angeles.
Green said Sims and Bradford have since been released from custody after posting bail. Florence was released on his own recognizance.
