LAKEWOOD : Robbery Suspects Arrested by Off-Duty Deputies

Two off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies helped capture a machine gun-wielding bandit and his alleged female getaway driver on Wednesday after a credit union holdup in Lakewood, authorities said.

One deputy fired shots at the gunman after he pointed the weapon at the officer outside the credit union in the 4300 block of South Street, said sheriff’s spokesman Mark Bailey.

The identities of the suspects, who were booked on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, were not immediately disclosed.

The deputies happened to be in the credit union about 10 a.m. when the gunman entered and took the money, Bailey said. One deputy was waiting outside, saw what was happening and phoned the Lakewood sheriff’s station to report the crime.

“As the suspect fled (he) was confronted by the deputy who was still on the phone,” Bailey said. “The suspect pointed the machine gun at the deputy, who fired several rounds from his gun at the suspect.”

The gunman ran to a waiting car and was driven from the crime scene by a woman. The deputies gave chase and others joined them, Bailey said, but the suspects quickly surrendered.