Long Beach man gets 8 years in string of forcible thefts downtown and Central LB

An 18-year-old Long Beach man was sentenced this week to eight years in county jail after he was convicted of nine counts of forcible theft and assault after snatching purses and other belongings from women while riding his bike.

Long Beach Prosecutor Doug Haubert in a statement described the crimes, which took place between March and June, as “serious thefts – on the verge of being strong-armed robberies.”

Haubert’s office said that in one case, Flint took a cellphone out of a woman’s hand while she was pushing her infant child in a stroller down Ocean Boulevard. In another, he snatched a cellphone from a woman who was exiting a Metro train platform at Long Beach Boulevard and First Street.

The victim in the latter case chased Flint, who was able to get away.

An attoey for Flint could not immediately be located.

The prosecutor’s office said Flint admitted to the crimes when questioned by police, and said he specifically targeted victims who he felt were not paying attention. All of the victims were women, and all the crimes occurred in Central and Downtown Long Beach, often at bus stops and crosswalks.

Flint also admitted to targeting other victims, who could not be located, the prosecutor said.

Haubert credited police with spotting the trend and devoting resources to catch Flint.

“It was the repetitive nature of the defendant’s actions that was most disturbing,” Deputy City Prosecutor Stephanie Dowds, who handled the case in court, said in a statement.

Flint was sentenced Wednesday by Superior Court Judge Halim Dhanidina. In total, Flint was charged with nine counts of misdemeanor battery, nine counts of theft, and one count of fleeing from police.

If anyone has information regarding cellphone thefts, contact Long Beach Police Det. Benjamin Vargas at 562-570-5538.