Gunshots reportedly fired as men rob Macy's

Gunshots were reportedly fired Monday night when four men stormed into a Macy's at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and used baseball bats to smash display cases filled with jewelry, police said.

Three of the men fled with an undisclosed amount of jewelry, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The other man was detained by a security guard and turned over to officers who swarmed the scene.

The men entered the store about 8:45 p.m. Police responded to a report of shots fired, Officer Rosario Hererra said.

Detectives were at the scene Monday night gathering evidence. No additional details were immediately available.

Robbery may be punishable by 2 to 9 years in prison. Armed robbery is a more serious version of this crime, committed when a person commits robbery while armed with a deadly weapon. Under California's 10-20-life law, a defendant may face an additional 10 years in prison for displaying a gun, 20 years for firing a fun and 25 years to life for causing serious injury to another person with a gun. Robbery and armed robbery are also considered "strike" offenses under the state's three strikes law.

If you have been charged with robbery in the Los Angeles area, keeping your record clear of a conviction is critical. Robert Helfend is one of Los Angeles's criminal defense attorneys dealing with three strikes laws. He will use every strategy available to dismiss or reduce your charges to a charge that will not include a three strikes violation. Contact his law office today for your best chance at a favorable outcome.