Two men from South Gate, Calif., Dereck Nathan Lopez and Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, have confessed to a series of armed robberies targeting casino winners across Los Angeles County. Federal prosecutors announced the guilty pleas on Thursday. The pair systematically followed and ambushed victims, having observed them cashing out winnings at local cardrooms.
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Patterns of Targeting Revealed
Lopez, 22, and Gonzalez, 23, zeroed in on alleged high-rollers, trailing them from venues around Los Angeles, such as the Hustler Casino, Parkwest Bicycle Casino, and Commerce Casino & Hotel. Court documents lay out a detailed pattern: the duo used fake California driver’s licenses to gain entry and spot winners at the tables. Once identified, they tracked these individuals until the opportune moment arose to strike, often as victims were exiting freeways. The robbers didn’t hesitate to resort to violence. They smashed car windows, wielded firearms, and donned ski masks to intimidate their targets. All 15 known victims, robbed between May and December of 2023, were Asian, according to the indictment. The crew made off with a haul of $274,000 in cash, casino chips, and various valuables.
Dramatic Highway Heist
A chilling incident on June 17, 2023, highlights their method. At Parkwest Bicycle Casino, Lopez observed patrons Z.G. and G.Y. cashing out large sums in chips. He informed his gang, setting the stage for a brazen ambush. Once Z.G. and G.Y. departed, the thieves followed, eventually boxing them in on Interstate 710. With firearms drawn, they forced the victims to surrender around $130,000 in cash before fleeing. This isn’t Lopez’s first run-in with the law — he had a previous grand theft conviction in San Bernardino County. That history also prevented him from legally holding firearms, a charge he accepted as part of his plea deal. The weapons cache included three guns and 30 rounds of ammunition.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing Expectations
August will see Lopez and Gonzalez face sentencing, with both sides agreeing to a 14-year federal prison term, pending court approval. The severity reflects the large-scale orchestration and repeated nature of the crimes. A court date is set for August when the sentences are expected to be confirmed. Industry observers will note the timing as these crimes could influence future casino security measures and regulatory scrutiny.
Eri Gaitu leads the news desk at Best in Slot, tracking breaking developments across the gambling world in real time. From exclusive bonus offers and casino launches to licensing updates and regulatory shifts, Eri ensures readers are always first to know about the changes that matter to their gaming experience.
