Former anti-gang worker charged with robbing rapper

By WAVE WIRE SERVICES

Tools

VAN NUYS — A documented gang member who worked with city anti-gang programs pleaded not guilty Tuesday to robbing rapper Byron McCane of the group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in the musician's room at the Universal City Hilton.

Marlo Jones, also known as "Bow Wow," 30, was arraigned this afternoon in Van Nuys Superior Court on one count each of robbery and burglary. A preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 26.

The criminal complaint alleges that the Jan. 5 crime was to further a criminal street gang.

Jones had been listed as a contract employee with Unity One — a subcontractor under the city of Los Angeles' L.A. Bridges II Gang Intervention program -- but he was immediately terminated from his position, authorities said.

Jones and several other people allegedly confronted McCane — also known as "Bizzy Bone" — in his hotel room. Authorities said the rapper was choked, then robbed of his jewelry.

Police are searching for other suspects.

Jones is on probation following his no contest plea last November to one count of felony spousal abuse, according to the District Attorney's Office.

He also was convicted in 1996 of robbery and in 1999 of possession of cocaine, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Jones, who was arrested Saturday, is being held in lieu of $300,000 bail. If convicted as charged, Jones faces up to 28 years in state prison, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

Los Angeles Wave and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

On Demand

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.