Six Arrested in Diamond Bar, California Home Invasion Robbery

Five men were in custody and one was out on bail in for a Diamond Bar home invasion robbery where masked assailants tied up a couple and zapped the man with a Taser numerous times before fleeing with their jewelry. The assailants fled the robbery scene because the female victim was able to escape and alert police.

Police detectives had little to go on in the case but learned one of the suspects was a black man who spoke Korean very well. Then last month, detectives learned of a FBI undercover sting with Las Vegas Metro Police that arrested five members of a Korean organized crime group from Los Angeles. The suspects were preparing to rob what they believed was a drug stash house in Las Vegas. When they were interviewed by Asian gang team police detectives in Las Vegas, three of the suspects implicated themselves in the Diamond Bar home invasion robbery. They included Rene Hypolite, who police say has African American and Korean parents and speaks fluent Korean.

Police also identified three other suspects in the robbery. One who drove the getaway car and two who masterminded the home invasion. The driver, Andrew Kim, of Los Angeles, was arrested at his home in Los Angeles. Two days later, police captured Young Woo Kim, of Los Angeles in the parking lot of an L.A. business. They arrested Kyung Hwan Choi, of Los Angeles when he surrendered to sheriff's investigators at the L.A. County courthouse in Pomona. Choi and Young Woo Kim are believed to have masterminded the robbery, including providing the victims' address to the other suspects. Chon, Han and Hypolite remain in custody in Las Vegas. Andrew Kim was released on bail, and Young Woo Kim and Choi were in custody in Los Angeles in lieu of $2 million bail each.

A robbery is a theft crime that is defined by using force, intimidation, and violence or threat of violence to take possession of someone else's property to deprive them of it. Due to the violent nature, prosecutors are well known in their aggressive attempts to obtain a conviction in robbery and armed robbery cases. The consequences of a robbery conviction can be severe.

If you are facing robbery criminal charges, you should contact a criminal defense attorney at Cron, Israels & Stark as soon as possible. A conviction for robbery can carry with it severe consequences, such as fines and restitution, long-term loss of freedom, permanent criminal record, and probation. Your freedom and future are at stake with the seriousness of these types of charges. We have a proven record of success in defending clients charged with robbery, burglary, kidnapping, murder, assault and other types of violent crimes. Call our offices today to schedule a free consultation.