Theft/Property — Long Beach, CA — reported 2026-07-09
SUMMARY
A Long Beach man was sentenced to over 26 years in federal prison for an armed robbery spree that ended with a police pursuit and the death of an innocent bystander.
KEY FACTS
- Incident type: Theft/Property
- Location: Long Beach, CA
- Date reported: 2026-07-09
- Suspect: male, age 29
- Victim(s): 1 (innocent driver)
REPORTED DETAILS
- Kaelenn Sinaukoko Maea, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act robbery, and one count of possessing, using, carrying, brandishing, and discharging a short-barreled rifle during the crime.
- Maea and his three accomplices committed three armed robberies during one week in September 2023.
- They targeted a Downey liquor store, a Compton gas station, and a South El Monte convenience store, stealing around $5,000 in cash.
- Maea fired a rifle at the Compton gas station he brandished the rifle at an employee and blocked the doorway to prevent customers and employees from escaping.
- He crashed into a motorist and killed the innocent driver.