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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Armored Truck Drivers Busted in $1M Robbery

LOS ANGELES - Authorities on Thursday arrested two Loomis armored truck drivers they accused of plotting to steal more than $1 million in cash while en route to a Bank of America location.

Officers with the FBI and Los Angeles Police Department arrested Cesar Yanez, 37, of Fontana, and Aldo Esquivel Vega, 28, of Pomona, on federal charges of conspiracy to commit bank larceny and bank larceny.

An unsealed four-count indictment states that Yanez and Vega were driving an armored car carrying a multi-million shipment to Bank of America when they parked in a lot in the Historic West Adams District of downtown Los Angeles.

Vega open the rear doors and Yanez allegedly stole $1,086,000 in cash from the car and placed it in a nearby trash can. Another individual arrived and picked up the trash can, prosecutors charge. Authorities have not yet identified the person.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office in L.A., FBI special agents discovered $85,000 in cash at Yanez's residence.

Jovita Medina Guzman, 39, of San Bernardino, allegedly conspired with the two drivers to conceal and distribute their ill-gotten gains. She allegedly delivered a portion of the stolen funds to Yanez before her arrest. He was charged with being an accessory after the fact, prosecutors say.

The three defendants were arrested without incident.

If convicted, Yanez could receive a statutory maximum sentence of 25 years, Vega, 15 years, and Guzman up to 15 years. The three defendants could also potentially each pay double the amount of losses to Bank of America.

Yanez and Vega were also charged with possession of bank larceny proceeds.

Loomis has a fleet of 3,000 vehicles and 8,000 drivers or "teammates." The Houston-based company has 400 operating locations in the U.S.

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