According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lopez, Gonzalez and associates robbed and attempted to rob individuals leaving casinos on at least 12 occasions, including three on a single night. They took a total of at least $274,000 in cash, casino chips and other property.
In October 2023, the defendants followed a victim around the Hustler Casino in Gardena, watching as the man cashed out $11,000 in chips and left the casino. As the victim drove home on the Harbor (110) Freeway on-ramp from Redondo Beach Boulevard, the defendants stopped the man’s car, pointed a gun at him and robbed him, prosecutors said.
Before another incident, Lopez is seen on casino surveillance video celebrating a gambling victory with a victim he was scouting, including high-fiving the woman after the win, according to court documents.
Within an hour, Lopez’s co-conspirators had blocked her vehicle, brandished firearms and stolen $21,000 in cash. In a separate incident, Lopez, Gonzalez and co-conspirators stole at least $130,000 in casino winnings from someone else, federal prosecutors stated.
Officials said Lopez was in possession of three firearms and more than 30 rounds of ammunition found at his home in December 2023. Lopez is not legally permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition because his criminal history includes a conviction in San Bernardino Superior Court for grand theft in November 2023 during the robbery spree, prosecutors said.