At least two robbers ambushed an armored vehicle in broad daylight and opened fire on armed guards, seriously injuring one in the South. California casino parking lot before fleeing with cash, police said.
At least two suspects, armed with handguns and a rifle, remained for hours after the incident take a shot in Gardena, a city about 15 miles (24 km) south of downtown Los Angeles.
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According to Gardena Police Lieutenant Chris Cuff, the guard is expected to survive. The other guard was not shot but was taken to hospital with violent injuries outside the Hustler Casino. The armored vehicle was operated by Loomis US, a cash handling company; A representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Thursday’s robbery came just weeks after thieves broke into an unattended Brink’s tractor-trailer parked at a remote rest stop and stole valuable jewelry and gems. millions of dollars after the car’s two armed guards walked away. That theft occurred in the early morning hours of July 11 in the unincorporated community of Lebec, about 75 miles (about 121 km) north of downtown Los Angeles.
Both of these crimes are considered rare. Cuff said detectives in Thursday’s case are working with other law enforcement agencies to see if there is any connection between the two incidents.
On Thursday, the suspects waited for the armored vehicle and immediately opened fire shortly after 10 a.m., Cuff said. Car went to the casino to pay cash.
“As soon as they got out of the car, they were met with gunfire,” he said.
The guards returned fire but it was not clear if any of the suspects were attacked. Police recovered one getaway vehicle but are unsure if another was used for the getaway.
Detectives are looking into whether the unknown amount of cash was stolen from inside the armored vehicle or from the guards themselves. No one in the casino was robbed, Cuff said.
Alvin Spencer, a regular at the casino, told KTLA that the scene was chaotic as gamblers and staff had to evacuate.
“One truck was ready to come in and the next thing I knew they started pulling their guns,” Spencer said.
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