At least two robbers ambush an armored vehicle in broad daylight Thursday and opened fire on the armed guards, injuring one critically in a Southern California casino's parking lot before fleeing with cash.
Two suspects armed with guns and a rifle remained at large hours after the shooting in Gardena, a city about 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.
The guard is expected to survive after being shot in the leg. The other guard was taken to the hospital for cuts he sustained during the violence. A representative of the company that operates the armored vehicle did not respond to the request for comment.
Thieves broke into a Brink's tractor-trailer and stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry and gemstones after the vehicle's two armed guards walked away. The theft took place in the unincorporated community of Lebec, which is about 75 miles north of Los Angeles.
The crimes are not very common. The detectives in Thursday's case are working with other law enforcement agencies to find out if there are any similarities between the two incidents.
The suspects waited for the armored vehicle to park and then immediately started shooting at it. There was a vehicle at the casino.
They were met with gunfire when they got out of the car.
The guards returned fire, but it was not known if any of the suspects were hit. Police don't know if any other people were used to flee.
The amount of cash may have been taken from inside the armored vehicle or from the guards. There was no robbery at the casino.
The scene at the casino was chaotic as gamblers and employees were forced to leave.
Spencer said that a truck was about to come in when they started pulling out guns.
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