LANCASTER – At a 10 a.m. press conference Tuesday to announce how they captured robbery/homicide suspect Timothy Johnson, officials received word that Johnson’s girlfriend had just been arrested as an accomplice in the incident.
Lancaster resident Jinea Aarona Ingram, 24, was arrested at 10:01 a.m. Tuesday and booked at the Lancaster Station on $1 million bail, according to LASD Inmate Information records. Ingram is accused of driving the getaway car from the scene of Friday afternoon’s robbery murder. Ingram will be charged as an accomplice for robbery and special circumstance murder, said Homicide Lt. Matthew Burson.
Around 4 p.m., on Friday, March 23, Lancaster deputies were called to the e-Chaps Computer and More store at 2007 W. Avenue K where Los Angeles County Fire Rescue Personnel found owner, Reed Keith, on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, said Burson.
Keith, 59, was pronounced dead on the scene.
Burson said, at the time of the robbery, there was a customer in the store who provided essential information for the investigation, enabling officials to obtain a search warrant for Johnson’s home.
Within hours, deputies surrounded the neighborhood where Johnson lived with his mother. However, Johnson was not there when a special weapons team entered the home approximately 12 hours after the crime had been committed, according to a city news release.
Authorities recovered several laptops, as well as the victim’s wallet from the home, Burson said.
On March 24 at about 7 p.m., sheriff’s personnel from the gang unit followed Johnson from an undisclosed residence in south LA, Burson said. The sheriffs are still looking at the relationship of the residence in LA to the suspect.
Burson said Johnson was detained at a traffic stop away from the residence.
“The unit felt it was safer to do it away from the residence,” Burson said. “He was pretty much caught by the element of surprise because he didn’t have time to react.”
Johnson was arrested on March 24 and is being charged with two counts of robbery, torture and special circumstances murder, with bail set at $1 million, said Burson.
At Tuesday’s press conference, local law enforcement and city officials expressed sadness and outrage about the crime that claimed the life of the computer store owner who is a 20-year Lancaster resident.
“On behalf of all the personnel at Lancaster Station, we’d like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Reed Keith who was tragically killed this week in one of our incidences,” said Lancaster Station Captain Bob Jonsen.
“It was a senseless brutal act and the entire city council is outraged at what has taken place,” said Lancaster Councilman Marvin Crist.
In a city news release Tuesday, Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris expressed “heartfelt condolences” to Keith’s family members.
“The entire City Council and I are outraged and saddened by this senseless loss of life,” said Parris. “This was a horrific crime, committed by a reported gang member just recently released from prison for having already committed a previous robbery.”
Parris also acknowledged the Sheriff’s Department for their quick work in apprehending a suspect less than 36 hours after the murder had taken place.
“Our Sheriff’s Department went right to work investigating any and all leads, in order to assure this very bad person was apprehended before any more senseless crimes could be committed,” Parris said. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, criminals are not welcome in Lancaster. If you are stupid enough to commit a crime here, we will immediately hunt you down and arrest you just like this criminal.”
Jonsen said the quick arrest was due to a collective effort by law enforcement along with support from the community.
“The arrest of Timothy Johnson was a tremendous team effort that involved our Patrol Personnel, our Robbery Suppression Team, our Property Crimes Team, our Operation Safe Streets Bureau and our Homicide Bureau,” Jonsen said. “Without that collective effort I highly doubt that suspect would have been taken into custody so quickly after the incident.”
“I also want to express my gratitude to the numerous citizens who came forth immediately after the robbery on Friday afternoon and gave us some critical information which expedited our identification of the suspect and the ultimate apprehension of that suspect,” Jonsen added.
Johnson was previously convicted for possession of marijuana for sale in 2007 and placed on probation, and then convicted for armed robbery in 2008, according to court records. Johnson was sentenced to three years in state prison for the armed robbery conviction, and released on parole in July of 2011, according to court records.
Casey Keith says
Please don’t have this conversation here. My father never once cared about someones race and bringing that type of conversation here only dishonors his memory.
I was raised to treat all people fairly and kindly and I am sure a jurry will do the same. Speculation as to the young mans history is none of our business. What is our business, is teaching and raising our children to to better and to be more accepting of others.
I am outraged at all that has happened. I miss my father and cry daily since his death. If you would like to see change in the community, do so with action, education and election. I have seen a lot of change since Rex became mayor and I like what I see so far. I know not everyone agrees, but I am greatful for the support from the community, its leaders and law enforcement.
I’ll continue to pray daily that no other family has to suffer the loss that we have had.
A humble daughter,
Casey Keith
Prince says
Blessings to you and yours. Its about time that people leave race or ethnicity out of criminal acts when its more dark blindness and ignorance. The society produces criminals when there is so much lack. I just meditate and pray that now that things have gotten so bad that we see beyond color rather character. Much love and blessings to your family.
D. Lamont says
@TruthsAvenger
Wow… I am too shocked at your reply to conceive a response. I just have one question: What does ANY of the allegations you mentioned against Trayvon Martin have to do with the fact that he was followed by someone who was told by law enforcement to STOP FOLLOWING him and then eventually shot and killed while unarmed? I will NOT be responding again…
TruthsAvenger says
@ D. Maybe because those who have bothered to investigate the entire story instead of just listening to the justice brothers Jackson & Sharpton mouthing off without facts are aware that Mr. Zimmerman stated to police he had in fact LOST Martin and was returning to his car when Martin attacked him from behind and that the EVIDENCE at the scene SUPPORTS Zimmerman’s account along with the ACCOUNTS of eyewitnesses (people who were actually THERE that night).
So again I ask you: Would you be as outraged if Zimmerman were black and Martin “White Hispanic”?
The obvious answer, based on your responses here, is not at all.
Dewayne Culver-Johnson says
Its only because the victim was white!! Lol then everyone wants to say good job. That’s crazy! I’m sorry for what happened and it was a senseless murder… But have that Nasty mayor of Lancaster in article is just disgusting to this article! That guy is no good! I’ve live in Lancaster all my life.. Left for school a couple times and went back to the AV I love that place dearly. But until they learn how to fight crime young, and the police stop acting like enemies of the black community it’s always and will get worst. Start some real big-city programs out there that can dibert young kids early in age.. You ppl really need to get big city programs out there cause as you can see there are a lot of big city crimes happening!
AVer says
Above, Dewayne said…. “…went back to the AV I love that place dearly”.
Of course, on Facebook, Dewayne says:
“Have y’all seen this [removed]??? Man! That’s crazy they want to turn it around(the racism) I wish ppl( blk& Mexicans) would wake up out there! it’s sad what that place is! It’s always been that way but there just really dining the stuff in ppl …face… Young blk man kills in a D.U.I accident and his bail is two million… White girl does it and her bail is 2 hundred thousand and only manslaughter! It really hurts my heart…what are we really etching the kids!! I wish I had the money to get all my family out of that f*cked up place! It’s nothing but a sandbag there!”
So which is it? You love the AV, or not?
TheTruth says
AVer…LOL…great research! Culver? You mean from the infamous Culver family that has helped destroy this Valley for many years? Those Culvers? No wonder you want more “programs” to raise your kids, instead of you doing your job as a parent. Figures.
tony says
Wtf r u talking about homie. That’s the problem. Everytime a African American commits a crime u guys always make it a racial issue.pretty much ur saying if ur black its ok to commit a crime and will only get prosecuted cuz ur black. That’s nonsense homie. It seems to menu r the real racist here. This fool walked into someone’s business and shot and killed him but cuz he’s black he got arrested?? Lol what a joke. Oh and by the way on ur fb it says that a black male kills in a DUI crash and gets $2 million bail and a white woman does it and gets 200,000 bail but if u look it up it was changed to $1 million dollar bail, the reason that the black male got $2 million bail is cuz he killed 2 people and the lady killed one. Time for people to grow up and stop making everything look like its cuz of race. That’s pathetic
D. Lamont says
I agree!
Tina says
Perfect example on why they should have a town for only sex offenders, nasty criminals like this guy to parole to so that they can be watched and put to work immediately after being released! Since it seems as if they are bored and have nothing else to do but harass and rob and kill and destroy property!
I would much rather have my taxes go to a city built in the middle of no where then to a low housing unit on the other side of the tracks!! Its getting more and more dangerous out here, and its real sad that criminals are getting younger and more violent these days, I completely blame parents for not being more involved more alert with there children. If parents would start drilling in there kids heads from the beginning on how important school is and how school is not over at high school its over after college and reminding them why its important so that later there not like animals on the street thinking how they can get easy money. I don’t think people say I wanna be a robber when I grow up, I think its done out of desperation and need but its not and should never be excused or forgiven and like I said we tax payers should have a right to decided where are money goes and I would love for mine to go in a city in the middle of no where for dangerous convicted felons to live and work till proven okay to live in are anywhere near normal people who are just trying to live and survive themselves!
Boscoe says
Nice work LASD. Community involvement and great Police work put these two POS’s behind bars. With the crime wave occurring here in our valley and the death of Mr. Keith, you’d think the Human Relations Task Force would pop up from the hole they’re currently occupying. The next time the “Task Force” raises its ugly head it will have ZERO credibility, none. God rest the soul of Mr. Reed Keith.
lucas says
Good work LASD, I’m very proud of the work you guys do. Now two more Antelope Valley criminals are off the streets. We pray for Mr. Reed and our condolences to his family.
believe it! says
Several days after the fact now, where 2 consecutive days of violence by ghetto rats occurred, and still not a peep out of the AV human relations commission, Parker, V. Jesse Smith, tcal,naacp, Amy Konstantelos, and the other usual players. Not one word from any of them! Go figure.
D. Lamont says
And just WHAT is it that you would like the local civil rights groups/activists to come out and say? Fact is, in the last few days CRIMINALS perpetrating criminal acts were caught expeditiously by law enforcement. LASD did their jobs and now the streets are three CRIMINALS safer. Bravo to the LASD!!
Thanking law enforcement for a job well done does not mean you can’t disagree with them from time to time when you feel as though the justice process have failed (i.e. Trayvon Martin).
When this happens, you may call on groups that stick up for victims of injustice who can’t stick up for themselves (I.e. NAACP, LULAC, etc.) In cases where the justice system has succeeded then, why do you want to hear from these groups?
Also, the fact that you called the CRIMINALS ‘ghetto rats’ says a lot about you and your thought process.
Newsflash: Ghetto is NOT a synonym for criminal and ghetto is NOT a synonym for Black. If you don’t believe me look it up! Or you can just take my word for it, since I am a product of the ghetto who does not fit your stereotype…
Boscoe says
How about the same attention they pay to the victims and community as they give when the victim is other than white? Total hypocrisy.
D. Lamont says
As I said before, justice was served, so why do you need to hear from groups that protect victims of injustice? Also, the last time the groups had a press conference when they felt justice was NOT served locally, they spoke out against what they felt was an injustice against Donald Handy (who is white). Specifically, TCAL member Emmett Murrell spoke up for Donald Handy. If you don’t believe me, then ask anyone who was at the press conference. Also, there is a vigil tonight for Reed Smith. How do you know these groups won’t be taking part? Don’t be so quick to rush to judgement…
TheTruth says
Yeah I’m holding my breath for their arrival!
Justice will be served when they are sentenced. Please, Handy just happened to be recent to the other crooks tcal was standing up for. They don’t give a crap about a white guy dope dealer. He was convenient. Like someone else posted here, groups like tcal only speak up when the supposed injustice is committed by whites….or cops….
That’s the problem Lamont.
Tony says
I wish TCAL and the NAACP would say something about this:
[linked REMOVED for inflammatory content]
TruthsAvenger says
@ D. Lamont:
You bring up the Martin case. What have you to say about the fact that eyewitnesses and evidence at the scene back up Zimmerman? Or how about the fact that Martin was seen on top of Zimmerman and punching him several times before the shot was fired? Or that martin had been suspended from school for pot possession as well has having a bag containing jewelry, a watch and a screwdriver that he could not account for the ownership of in his locker? Do you condemn the $1 million dollar bounty placed on Zimmerman’s head? Do you condemn Spike Lee’s tweeting an address for a George Zimmerman that turned out to be the WRONG Zimmerman family and has chased two 70-year old people from their home in fear for their safety? If Zimmerman had been black and Martin white would you be protesting this shooting? Would you object if a member of the KKK placed a bounty on Zimmerman if he were black? Would you condemn Spike Lee’s actions if he had chased a black couple from their home be tweeting their address incorrectly?
AVer says
Great… “Tony” posts another link to a loser “Black power” website. There are some real loones out in the world. “Black Love”, right Tony?
What What says
This is yet another example as to why the General Law Abiding Citizen needs to be able to arm themselves. It is so hard to get a CCW in this County. The more armed citizens we have, the fewer crimes will be committed against them.
Mel says
So glad they got this scum bag. I sure hope he gets the death penalty. LASD did a great job getting this guy and the get away driver. Reed will be missed. He did such wonderful work. How very sad.
T-Bone says
Murder during a Robbery = Death Penalty Case!
Just calling it like I see it says
Now, let’s throw away the key this time!
T-Bone says
I’m sure this wasn’t the first Robbery he committed since July of 2011! I say don’t waste the tax payers money trying to find out but feel good he is off the street! Nice Work LASD!