We don't just write about crimes ... we solve them, too!

You may have read here about the man who followed a Torrance woman home this morning from a Gardena casino, robbed her, then led police on a pursuit that ended with a crash in the Harbor Gateway. When I saw that story, I thought the suspect's name sounded familiar. 

I ran Earnest Alexander's name through my spreadsheet o' criminal cases, and saw that someone of the same name, age and hometown of Hawthorne was wanted by the feds as part of that large-scale Lawndale counterfeit currency ring the Secret Service busted up last year.

I gave Assistant U.S. Attorney Mack Jenkins a call and asked if Alexander was still at large. He joked, "Yes. Did you find him?"

I replied, "Well, yes, I think I did."

Some Secret Service agents have made their way to the Torrance Police Department this afternoon to have a chat, and it seems like he's the same guy.

Guess he had good reason to run - the ringleader of the operation previously pleaded guilty to some charges and is serving a little more than nine years in a federal penitentiary. The four remaining participants have pleaded guilty and face a maximum of 20 years in prison when they return to court. One is scheduled to come back Monday and three others are scheduled for March 9. 

Previous entries on the counterfeit currency ring are here.