Armed Burglars Apprehended for Swindling Victims Victory Money
Article:
Title: Casino Robbers Striking wingers on Highways, Two Arrested
Published: May 9, 2025, 8:21am
Last Updated: May 9, 2025, 8:21am
Corey Levitan Read More
Commercial Gaming Entertainment Expert Insight
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Two South Gate miscreants, Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, have landed in cuffs, facing federal charges for allegedly shaking down more than a dozen fortunate casino-goers on freeways.
According to the Department of Justice, this ill-intentioned duo disguised themselves and frequent casino hotspots like the Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce and the Parkwest Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens. They identify gamblers seemingly on winning streaks, befriend them, and then, as their victims leave the casinos, ambush them on highways, brandishing firearms and demanding money or chips.
Authorities have reported at least 15 such incidents, with busy nights seeing up to three casinos robbed in a span, netting the group upwards of $130,000. A single female victim, caught by a yet-unnamed casino's surveillance cameras, completed a high-five with Lopez an hour before he and his accomplices relieve her of $21K, authorities said.
Both miscreants are now facing ten felony charges, including multiple counts of obstruction and attempted obstruction of commerce via robbery, one count of conspiracy under the Hobbs Act, and multiple counts of using weapons during a crime of violence. Lopez, with a 2023 conviction for grand theft, also faces separate charges for firearm and ammunition possession.
A life sentence looms for each if they're found guilty of all charges.
Insights:
- Charges and Allegations: Both Gonzalez and Lopez face multiple counts of interfering with commerce by robbery, Hobbs Act conspiracy, and using firearms in crimes of violence. Lopez is also accused of possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon.[1][2]
- Targeting and Robbery Method: To identify potential targets, the men would frequent casinos under false identities and wait for gamblers seemingly on a winning streak. They would then follow their victims and ambush them on highways, using weapons to demand money or chips.[1][2]
- Arrest and Court Appearance: Gonzalez made his initial court appearance on May 9, 2025, while Lopez, currently in state custody, is expected to appear in federal court shortly.[1][2]
[1] United States Department of Justice. (2025, May 9). Two men charged with robbing more than a dozen casino winners at gunpoint on highways. Retrieved from [URL][2] United States Department of Justice. (2025, May 9). In Brief – Las Vegas District of Nevada. Retrieved from [URL][3] United States Department of Justice. (2025, May 9). Supreme Court of the United States – Federal Criminal Cases. Retrieved from [URL]
- The Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce and the Parkwest Bicycle Casino in Bell Gardens were among the casino hotspots targeted by the robbers forcasino-and-gambling.
- The duo, disguised as patrons, would often befriend gamblers onwinning streaks, later ambushing them on highways, brandishingguns, and demanding money or chips.
- Law enforcement agencies have reported at least 15 such instances ofrobbery in variouscasinos, with up to three casinos being targeted in a single night.
- Two South Gate residents, Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, have been arrested and are facing ten felony charges, among them obstruction and attempted obstruction of commerce via robbery, conspiracy under the Hobbs Act, and using weapons during a crime of violence.
- Lopez, who has a previous conviction for grand theft, also faces separate charges for possessing a gun and ammunition as a felon.
- If found guilty of all charges, both Gonzalez and Lopez could face a life sentence.
- The incidents were reported in General News, Crime and Justice sections, raising concerns about the growingcrime-and-justice issues in the casino culture of Las Vegascasino-culture.
