Bank Robbery Suspect Killed as He Tries to Flee Police

A bank robbery suspect was shot and killed early Friday outside his Studio City luxury apartment while trying to flee from police and FBI agents.

Anthony Gamboa, 24, was shot by a West Covina police officer just after he ran from his apartment in the 4100 block of Arch Drive carrying a small duffel bag, authorities said.

West Covina officers, accompanied by federal agents, were serving a search and arrest warrant for Gamboa, said Lt. Darryl Myrick of the West Covina Police Department. Gamboa was wanted in connection with two armed bank robberies of the Pacific Western Bank in West Covina in November 1997 and September 1998, as well as the armed robbery of a supermarket in the Central California town of Cambria, he said.

In the September robbery, Gamboa allegedly jumped over the counter, showed a handgun and demanded money.

On Friday, an officer called Gamboa by telephone and ordered him to surrender to police waiting outside, said Sheriff’s Deputy Bob Killeen.

Instead, Gamboa ran from his apartment. A police dog grabbed and held him, but Gamboa began to reach into his bag. Thinking that Gamboa might be reaching for a weapon, an officer fired twice, hitting him once in the chest, Killeen said.

Gamboa was taken to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, where he was pronounced dead, Killeen said.

Detectives examined the bag and found a semiautomatic handgun and several hundred dollars in wrapped currency, she said.