Two Men Arrested for 'Hunting' Casino Winners and Robbing Them on L.A. Highways

Casino Winner Robbery Ring

• 🎯 Two men, Derrick Lopez and Juan Gonzales from Southgate, are facing federal charges for allegedly stalking and robbing casino winners.
• 🕵️ Lopez is accused of acting as a scout, identifying successful gamblers inside casinos like the Commerce Casino.
• 🚗 Once a target was identified, Lopez and Gonzales, along with at least two others, would follow them onto highways using multiple cars to box them in.

Armed Robbery Tactics

• 💥 The bandits would then swarm the victim's car, smash windows at gunpoint, and demand cash, casino chips, or other personal property.
• 💰 Over a 7-month period in 2023, the group allegedly targeted victims more than 16 times, predominantly Asian individuals.
• 💸 They are believed to have stolen at least $275,000 in cash, chips, and property.
• 🤕 At least two victims sustained cuts from flying glass during the attacks.

Investigation and Recovery

• 🚓 A joint FBI and LA Sheriff's task force was responsible for apprehending the suspects.
• ⚖️ Juan Gonzales was arraigned in federal court, while Derrick Lopez, already in state prison for firearms charges, will appear in federal court later this summer.
• 🔍 Investigators have recovered guns and fake IDs used in the crimes, but most of the stolen cash and chips remain unrecovered.