Verizon store robbery ringleader pleads guilty

Published March 04, 2019

The ringleader of a crew that staged 10 robberies of Verizon stores in Southern California and Arizona has pleaded guilty to federal charges and is facing a possible sentence of life in prison.

Authorities say Zachary Wade of Long Beach pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiracy and other crimes for his role in armed holdups in 2017 and 2018 that netted some $340,000 in smartphones and other merchandise.

Authorities say Wade acknowledged choosing the stores, planning the robberies and providing guns.

The robberies took place in Tarzana, Torrance, Fullerton, Long Beach, Corona, San Pedro, Corona del Mar and Tucson, Arizona.

Eight other Southern California men have pleaded guilty to federal crimes for their roles in the robberies. Most await sentencing.

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