A 55 year old man fell prey to ruthless criminals after winning several thousand dollars at a Southern Californian casino on Friday.
The unnamed man had been enjoying a winning night out at the Hawaiian Gardens Casino with a woman friend and had left the casino when, unbeknownst to them, the criminals were following them close behind in a small grey vehicle with tinted windows.
Eventually catching up to them on South Andres Place in Santa Ana, the victim’s car was then cut off while one of the assailants demanded he handed over an envelope containing his winnings.
A fight then ensued and the victim was robbed, knocked down and then run over while on the ground as the assailant’s escaped in their vehicle.
Responding to a call at 5:30 a.m from the victim’s distraught and terrified woman friend, officers arrived on the scene but it was too late to save the man. The woman, though, was unharmed.
Several $20 bills were found at the scene, as well as a knife, and at this time it is unknown precisely how much money the criminals stole.
Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna has said that they have now obtained a detailed sketch of one of the killers and are appealing to members of the public who might be able to help, to contact them.
In the meantime, the victim’s name has not been released until police are able to notify his family.
