South Bay Man Admits To Role In Robbing Spree That Ended In Fatal Crash

CARSON, CA — A South Bay man on Wednesday admitted to his role in a one-week crime spree, which ended in a police pursuit that killed a bystander in 2023, according to authorities.

Carson resident Salagi Iakopo, 32, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of interference with commerce by robbery in connection with a series of armed robberies that took place in Downey, Compton and South El Monte.

The 32-year-old faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison at his sentencing in December.

Federal prosecutors say Iakopo was part of a robbery crew that targeted a liquor store, gas station and convenience store at gunpoint from Sept. 22 to Sept. 29, 2023. They'd then use a Range Rover that had been reported stolen out of Wilmington to flee the scene.

"(The defendants) would communicate via text message about which robbery location to rob on a given date and would discuss meeting locations, firearms to use, and locations to travel to after the robbery to count the stolen money," according to documents obtained by Patch.

On Oct. 9, 2023, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies found the Range Rover in South Gate with the suspects inside, according to authorities. The driver of the Range Rover sped off to avoid authorities and almost immediately crashed into multiple cars, injuring one person and killing another, according to authorities.

The people inside the Range Rover, including Iakopo, ran away from the scene, according to federal prosecutors. But deputies found the 32-year-old hiding in a trash can nearby and took him into custody.

The two other suspects, Kaelenn Maea, 28, of Long Beach and Mathew Salanoa, 25, of Placentia, were also taken into custody soon after.

Maea pleaded guilty to federal charges in April and is expected to be sentenced next month. Salanoa has agreed to plead guilty on Aug. 18 in Downtown Los Angeles.

City News Service contributed to this report.