- Three Oakland men face murder charges for the fatal follow-home robbery of fitness entrepreneur Miguel Angel Aguilar in Bel-Air.
- The September 2024 robbery attempt resulted in the deaths of both Aguilar and a suspect, Mario Melara.
- A judge ruled sufficient evidence exists for the defendants to stand trial on murder, robbery, and assault charges.
- Aguilar, founder of Self Made Training Facility, was shot after drawing his own licensed firearm.
A tragic follow-home robbery in Los Angeles' affluent Bel-Air neighborhood has led to murder charges against three Oakland men. The case highlights the ongoing threat of organized robbery crews targeting high-profile individuals in California.
Deadly Confrontation in Bel-Air
On September 13, 2024, Miguel Angel Aguilar and his wife were returning from lunch at Bossa Nova, a Brazilian restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, when suspects began trailing his customized 1959 Chevrolet Impala. The group followed them to their home on Thurston Circle in Bel-Air, where a confrontation erupted.
Aguilar, who held a concealed carry permit, drew his handgun. His wife told investigators she couldn't determine who fired first, but both Aguilar and one suspect each fired a single shot. Aguilar was struck in the neck and collapsed inside his vehicle. He shot suspect Mario Melara in the back during the exchange. The other suspects took Melara to a hospital before fleeing; he later died from his injuries.
According to detective testimony, the suspects had driven from Oakland to Los Angeles for the “express purpose” of robbing people. The day before targeting Aguilar, they allegedly robbed a man of his diamond bracelet and necklace. Aguilar’s car, a white convertible 1959 Chevrolet Impala with custom paint, was described by a detective as “cherried out.” Surveillance footage showed the Impala being followed by a gray Acura with tinted windows. After the cars passed out of frame, muffled shouting and two gunshots were heard.
The suspects fled in the Acura, which later crashed into an oncoming car in Culver City after running a red light. Two men dragged Mario Melara into the emergency room and laid him on the floor. Jason Melara watched as nurses tried to revive his brother, then ran out of the hospital with two other men, later identified as Daymonee Johnson and Mahki Taylor. The three wandered downtown Culver City; at one point, Taylor pantomimed firing a gun with his hands.
Charges and Evidence
Mahki Jamir Taylor, Jason Alexander Melara, and Daymonee Christian Johnson are charged with murder, robbery, and assault. According to detective testimony reported by the Los Angeles Times, Taylor admitted to a jailhouse informant that he shot Aguilar after Aguilar shot Mario Melara. Taylor also said his ghost gun jammed after the shooting.
The group had robbed another victim of jewelry the day before targeting Aguilar, prosecutors said. Aguilar survived for over three months before dying in December 2024 from his injuries. The defendants face murder charges for both Aguilar's and Melara's deaths, under the legal theory that Melara's death was provoked by the armed robbery.
At a preliminary hearing, Deputy Dist. Atty. Eric Siddall argued that the defendants created an “atmosphere of death” when they decided to take Aguilar’s property at gunpoint. Jason Melara’s attorney, Andrew Stein, asked for the murder charges to be dismissed, conceding that the group “drove 500 miles to commit a crime wave here in Los Angeles,” but argued there was no evidence his client pointed a gun at Aguilar. Judge Curtis Rappe ruled there was sufficient evidence for the three to stand trial on charges of robbery, assault and murder.
According to a court report, the three defendants remain jailed without bail and were scheduled to be arraigned July 22. The murder charge involving Aguilar includes a special-circumstance allegation that the killing occurred during an attempted robbery, along with an allegation that Taylor intentionally fired a gun. The defendants also face charges involving the attempted robbery of Aguilar and his wife, shooting at an occupied vehicle and assault with a semiautomatic firearm. They are additionally accused of robbing another victim of jewelry the day before the Aguilar incident.
Los Angeles Police Department Detective Frank Flores testified that Taylor told an undercover jailhouse operative after the three were arrested in October 2024 that a so-called “ghost” gun was used in the shooting of Aguilar. Flores acknowledged later under cross-examination that he believes that Taylor indicated during that conversation that Aguilar fired first at Melara’s brother and that Taylor said he subsequently shot him in the face, although Aguilar was shot in the neck — not the face. LAPD Detective Nellie Knight testified that the gray Acura the men had allegedly been using was subsequently involved in a collision outside what is now known as Southern California Hospital in Culver City, with the detective saying that surveillance video at the hospital showed Jason Melara with his mortally wounded brother for a time before the defendant left the hospital.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has not decided whether to seek the death penalty against any of the three.
Local California Context
Follow-home robberies have become a persistent issue in Los Angeles, particularly targeting luxury car owners and high-net-worth individuals. The case underscores concerns about public safety in upscale neighborhoods and the prevalence of ghost guns—untraceable firearms often used in crimes.
Background
Miguel Angel Aguilar founded Self Made Training Facility, a fitness franchise that grew to roughly 30 locations across several states, including California, Arizona, Texas, Ohio, Nevada, Florida and Virginia. He built a large following by sharing his story of overcoming poverty and addiction while promoting entrepreneurship and fitness. His family described him as 'a visionary, an inspiration, a mentor, a father, a husband.'
Aguilar and his brand also had more than 52,000 followers on Instagram. “After a courageous three-month battle following the tragic incident that took place on September 13th, 2024, Miguel peacefully passed away on December 21st, 2024 surrounded by his loved ones,” his family and associates said in an Instagram post. “Miguel revolutionized personal training and inspired countless individuals to pursue their fitness and entrepreneurial goals.”
Conclusion
The case now moves to trial, where the three defendants will face justice for their alleged roles in the deadly robbery. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of armed crime and the devastating impact on families and communities.