GLENDORA : Armored Car Guard Killed During Holdup

A 28-year-old armored car guard was shot and killed Monday morning during a holdup at a Bank of America in Glendora.

Ronald Cardenas, who had worked for Armored Transport of California for six years, became at least the third armored car guard to be killed in Los Angeles County in the past four months. In July, a guard was killed in San Pedro, and in September another guard was killed in Beverly Hills.

Cardenas was dead on arrival at San Dimas Community Hospital after being shot in the head and shoulders, said Glendora Police spokesman Jamie Caldwell.

Law enforcement authorities declined to say how much was taken, but one Bank of America source who asked not to be identified said the total was more than $400,000.

Two men posing as customers entered the bank in the 800 block of East Arrow Highway through the back door just as Cardenas was bringing money through the front door shortly before 10 a.m., Caldwell said.

One of the men fired several shots at close range at Cardenas, who fell through the front glass doors. The robbers escaped with the money in a gray, 1987 Chevrolet pickup. The truck, which police said had been stolen in Arcadia in October, was found abandoned a few miles away in front of a store in the San Dimas Plaza. Police believe the suspects fled in another vehicle.

Caldwell said both robbers are in their 20s, are about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weigh between 160 and 170 pounds. One was wearing a white T-shirt with a logo or emblem on it and a black baseball cap; the other was wearing a black or dark blue Members Only-type jacket and a black baseball cap.

Anyone who may have seen the men is asked to call Glendora police at (818) 914-8250.