Crime & Safety

Blowtorch Robber Handed Prison Term

The 41-year-old man robbed convenience stores in Long Beach, Carson and Glendale.

A man who robbed convenience stores in Glendale, Long Beach and Carson by brandishing a blowtorch and a Taser pleaded no contest to second-degree robbery Monday and was immediately sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Jermeile Hairston, 41, was originally charged with three counts each of second-degree robbery and criminal threats and one count of possession of flammable material.

The other counts were dismissed as part of the plea deal negotiated with prosecutors, according to a court clerk.

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Prosecutors said Hairston threatened to kill employees during the heists on Jan. 17 and 18.

Hairston, who was convicted in 1994 of aggravated robbery in Hamilton, Ohio, was already sitting in county jail when investigators circulated security photos of him committing the local robberies.

Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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