Two South American nationals, allegedly part of a "crime tourism" group, were charged Tuesday for the armed robbery of a $1 million watch from a man sitting on the patio of a restaurant at a Beverly Hills hotel.
During a search of the crew's Airbnb, officers also discovered a handgun registered to the notorious former Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher Dorner, known for committing a series of murders before dying in a standoff with police in 2013, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Jamer Mauricio Sepulveda Salazar, 21, of Columbia, is charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery -- known as a federal Hobbs Act crime -- and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence; and Jesus Eduardo Padron Rojas, 19, of Venezuela, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
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According to the complaint affidavit, on Aug. 7, the victim was sitting with his wife and two daughters on the patio of a restaurant at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel when one of the suspects allegedly approached and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at him.
The alleged gunman reportedly pulled back the slide of the handgun, chambering a round. While the first suspect held the victim at gunpoint, the second suspect allegedly approached and removed a silver Patek Philippe watch, which is estimated to be worth $1 million, from the victim's wrist.
Both suspects then fled the scene and eventually entered a blue Toyota Corolla, with Sepulveda allegedly serving as the getaway driver, according to court papers.
On Saturday, law enforcement executed a search warrant at an Airbnb where the South American theft group had allegedly been staying. During the search, officers found a handgun in a bedroom that was registered to Dorner. Later that day, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Equinox and reportedly identified Sepulveda and Padron inside the vehicle.
The Equinox was allegedly linked to another armed robbery in Beverly Hills on Aug. 5, during which a $30,000 Rolex was stolen, prosecutors said.
If convicted on all counts, Sepulveda faces a sentence of up to life in federal prison, while Padron faces up to 20 years, prosecutors noted.
It was not immediately known where the suspects may have gotten Dorner's gun.
