THE mastermind behind a string of armed robberies of independent pharmacies in Southern California is facing life behind bars after being found guilty of eight felony charges.
US authorities claimed that between May 2018 and Jul 2019, Tyrome 'Boobie' Lewis, 26, orchestrated 15 robberies, assigning roles to gang members and then served as a lookout while his "crew" stole oxycodone and other prescription painkillers, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Dubbed the "Oxy Bandits" by police, Lewis's gang targetted smaller pharmacies, armed with a black semi-automatic handgun to threaten and intimidate staff.
The investigation stemmed from a partnership between the FBI and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department that has seen 21 people charged for their roles in the heists.
A total of 19 people, including Lewis, have been convicted for their involvement in pharmacy robberies, with the remaining two defendants awaiting trial.
Lewis has been held in Federal custody since his arrest in Jul 2019, and will be sentenced at a hearing in Sep.
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