SANTA MONICA : 2 Robbery Suspects Caught With $176,000 After Chase
Santa Monica police shot out the tires of a getaway car on the busy Santa Monica Freeway during Monday’s evening rush hour, injuring two suspected bank robbers and recovering $176,000, authorities said.
The high-speed chase and gun battle stalled traffic on the freeway for more than 2 1/2 hours, police said.
A Bank of America branch in downtown Santa Monica was robbed about 5:30 p.m., shortly after a courier delivered the $176,000, Police Sgt. Gary Gallinot said. Police began chasing the car when they spotted it heading east on the freeway, he said.
The shootout occurred just east of the San Diego Freeway after one of the suspects fired at pursuing officers, and the officers shot back, puncturing the tires and slightly injuring the two men inside, Gallinot said. Investigators said the money was found in a bank bag on the car’s rear seat.
The suspects, who were not identified, were arrested and taken to area hospitals for treatment.
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