5 L.A. Men Arrested After Casino Holdup
Five Los Angeles gang members were arrested Sunday after an armed robbery at a casino and a high-speed chase, Las Vegas police said.
The attempted holdup of Harrah’s Hotel and Casino was the second at a Las Vegas casino in three days. Authorities were unsure whether the two were related, said Metropolitan Police Lt. Mike Hawkins.
The five were booked for investigation of attempted murder, kidnaping, robbery and grand larceny auto, Hawkins said. They were identified as Kemeo Wright, 19; Maurice Carter, 19; Damon Littlejohn, 20, and two 17-year-olds.
During the 2:45 a.m. holdup, three men jumped over the money cage counter and began unloading cash drawers, Hawkins said. A fourth held security guards and patrons at gunpoint.
The robbers fled in a stolen van driven by a fifth man. They later switched to another waiting van. A 20-minute chase ensued, during which the van smashed into patrol cars and knocked over a street light and fire hydrant, Hawkins said.
The suspects tried to run but were captured by officers using police dogs and a helicopter.
Police recovered a handgun apparently used in the robbery, they said, but still were searching for cash taken by the gunmen.
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