Armed Criminals Apprehended for Robbing Casino Victors, Potentially Facing Lifetime Imprisonment
Updated Article:
May 9, 2025, 08:21h.Last updated on: May 11, 2025, 11:43h.
Corey Levitan Read MoreCriminal SchemesHighway RobberiesGamblingLas Vegas Myths
On a chilly Friday, two Californians found themselves in hot water, getting slapped with federal charges for ruthlessly snatching the hard-earned cash of more than a dozen fortunate gamblers, all at gunpoint on highways.
None other than Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Dereck Nathan Lopez, these dastardly duo, according to the U.S. Justice Department, roved around various Southern California casinos under fake identities. They would strike up friendships with big winners, then, apparently like vultures, they'd follow them out of the casino and, in the brutal heart of the highway, they'd spring their lethal trap.
So, this ruthless routine happened at least a baker's dozen of times, as per the prosecutors. On bustling nights, these two and their motley crew might hit as many as three casinos, filching a fortune of up to $130K per night[1]. (The only two casinos brought up by name in their arrest report are the Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce and the Parkwest Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens.)
A female victim, documented on an unnamed casino's surveillance footage, could be seen high-fiving Lopez an hour before he and his fellow rogues robbed her of $21K at gunpoint, prosecutors alleged[1].
The pair now face a hefty ten felony charges each, including multiple counts of interference and attempted interference with commerce by robbery, one count of Hobbs Act conspiracy, and multiple counts of using firearms during a violent crime[1].
Lopez, in addition, was indicted on a single count of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammo. (Seeing as he had a 2023 grand theft conviction under his belt.)
If found guilty of all charges, each man could be facing a lifetime of behind bars.
[1] Enrichment Data: The modus operandi involved entering casinos under fake names, keeping tabs on gamblers who appeared to be winning or cashing in substantial chip amounts, then following these big-time gamblers to their vehicles. The group would then ambush them on the highway, using firearms and, at times, breaking vehicle windows to seize their cash winnings. One case, in particular, involved stealing $21,000 in direct succession, while another instance resulted in theft exceeding $130,000[1]. This brutal scheme is subject to federal criminal charges but doesn't appear to be a rampant issue affecting all casino winners in Southern California[1][2]. The robberies serve as a reminder for gamblers carrying large winnings leaving casinos in the region, especially in the Los Angeles area, as they may find themselves targeted[1][3].
- After a series of highway robberies targeting casino gamblers, Juan Gabriel Gonzalez and Dereck Nathan Lopez were arrested and charged with federal crimes.
- The duo was accused of roaming around various Southern California casinos, including the Commerce Casino & Hotel and the Parkwest Bicycle Casino, using false identities.
- They allegedly befriended big winners, followed them out of the casinos, and robbed them at gunpoint on highways.
- The prosecutors claimed that this ruthless routine occurred at least a dozen times, with the robberies resulting in stolen money totaling up to $130K per night.
- One female victim was seen high-fiving Lopez an hour before he and his associates robbed her of $21K at gunpoint.
- Lopez now faces an additional felony charge for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, due to a 2023 grand theft conviction.
- If found guilty of all charges, each man could potentially spend the rest of their lives in prison.
