A series of robberies from Orange to Harris County have lead to a series of arrests by the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office working in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies.
What began late January 6 with Chambers County Sheriff’s Office responding to a robbery call at DJ’s Grocery near Interstate 10 would amount to a series of robberies over a wide region in January.
Victims at the grocery store described multiple actors wearing masks, entering the business, brandishing a firearm and demanding money. An undisclosed amount of money was taken from the business and the actors fled the area in a vehicle that was parked nearby.
January 19 at the 8100 block of SH-146 a similar armed robbery drew deputies to investigate. Shortly after this report, a second report of an armed robbery was reported again at DJ’s Grocery. After reviewing security video footage, it became apparent to Chambers County Detectives that the same individuals were most likely responsible for all three robberies.
Detectives determined that these individuals have been responsible for numerous other armed robberies from Baytown to Orange at various gas stations over the last month. Through joint efforts from multiple law enforcement agencies along the IH-10 corridor in Southeast Texas, the robbery suspects have now been identified.
On January 28, 2021, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office Detective Paul Vest obtained arrest warrants for K. Diamond, 17, E. Thomas, 17, and Moses Rhine, 20, as well as one juvenile male, for Engaging in Organized Crime (2 counts each) 1st Degree Felony. All four of the individuals reside in the Beaumont area and are currently in custody.
The number of robberies these individuals have committed along with the violent nature of the crime have attracted ATF and Federal Prosecutors. All are reviewing all the cases that have occurred throughout multiple jurisdictions and are considering pursuing federal prosecution.
According to Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, “By having a close working relationship with other law enforcement agencies, our Detectives with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office were able to do our part in making sure these violent offenders are off the street. We look forward to a successful prosecution of these criminals and will continue to do our part to keep Chambers County a safe place to live.”