Public’s Help Is Sought in Hunt for Guard’s Killers

Police expect to release composite sketches today of two men who killed a Brink’s security guard during an ambush-style robbery at a Stanton supermarket earlier this week.

The sketches are based on dozens of witnesses’ descriptions of the men, who fatally shot Mark A. Smith in the neck Monday and stole an undisclosed amount of money.

Funeral services for Smith, 39, are scheduled for Friday, family members said, although the time and location haven’t been finalized. Family members said Smith, a former U.S. Marine, will receive a military burial.

“Mark gave so much of himself to all who knew him,” said Dorie Smith, widow of the slain security guard. “He was so proud to serve his country, the public and his company. We would like the community to remember Mark as we will--a true hero. We love him and we miss him.”

Family members said a trust fund is being created in Smith’s honor. Donations should be sent to Brink’s Inc., 798 N. Batavia St., Orange, CA 92686.

Officials in the armored car industry said attacks on guards in recent years are occurring with greater frequency and violence than ever before.

“We’re finding that California is really the hotbed of attacks right now,” said James Dunbar, director of the National Armored Car Assn.

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According to FBI statistics, more than 55 armored cars were robbed last year for a loss of nearly $6 million. But industry officials said the federal statistics are not completely accurate and that the number of incidents may be higher.

Dunbar declined to release industry statistics on attacks, but he said there have been about seven guard fatalities so far this year.

“One is too many,” he said.

Industry officials declined to discuss the types of safety precautions companies use to minimize the dangers to the guards and protect the loot they transport.

“Our primary responsibility is to the people who work for us. We are always reviewing and updating our security procedures,” said Marven Moss, director of corporate projects for the Connecticut-based Brink’s Inc. “But we don’t talk about the safety procedures we take. We keep that as confidential as we can.”

Dunbar agreed that confidentiality was important.

“It doesn’t make sense to let the bad guys know what we are doing or planning,” he said.

Because of the increase in violent attacks, Dunbar said competitors in the armored transportation industry are coming together like never before to discuss and share new safety ideas and tactics.

“In years past, there wasn’t any reason to talk to a competitor. Now, we all have security departments within our own companies to address these problems,” said Dunbar, who has been in the business for 46 years.

Dunbar added that robbers in the past “were more professional” and did not have to resort to violence. “It appears those days are gone.”