The couple arrived at the Chase Bank in Palmdale as planned. It was early February and they were there to withdraw $200,000. Nearby, a private security guard monitored the situation, occasionally sending text messages on his cell phone.
As the couple walked through the parking lot that day, they were approached by two armed men who robbed them before fleeing.
At the time, it seemed like a random act of violence involving a large sum of money, but federal authorities say it was actually an inside job.
This week, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that three Antelope Valley residents had been charged in connection with the armed robbery.
ATF officials identified the suspects as Tyjana Grayes, 24, of Palmdale, and Lancaster residents Jerry “Poppa” Wimbley Jr., 21, and Roman “Siete” Isaiah Smith, 24.
According to a federal grand jury indictment, planning for the heist may have begun in January after the couple showed up at a Chase branch in Palmdale to deposit a check for $315,301. The two men attempted to withdraw approximately $200,000, but were told to come back later.
At one point, Grayes, a private security guard for Chase Bank, allegedly learned of the planned pickup from a bank teller and relayed the information to Wimbley and Smith, according to the indictment.
On February 9, the two suspects allegedly drove to the bank and waited in the parking lot for the victims to collect the money.
Federal investigators said that while working at the bank, Grayes sent a series of text messages and phone calls about the victims to an anonymous co-conspirator, who then passed the information to Wimbley and Smith.
As the couple left the bank with the money, federal investigators alleged that Wimbley and Smith got out of their vehicle with semi-automatic handguns, threatened to shoot the victims and stole the money.
Federal officials said Wimbley then laundered the money by visiting the Commerce Casino and Hotel à Commerce from February 10 to March 8, purchasing approximately $34,500 in gambling chips and cashing in approximately $168,700. On some of those visits, federal investigators said, Wimbley took money without purchasing tokens.
The suspects, who are scheduled to be arraigned this month, have been charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by theft and interference with commerce by theft; and aiding or using a firearm during a crime of violence. Wimbley is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as three counts of money laundering. Meanwhile, Smith faces murder charges in a separate case.
If convicted of all charges, the suspects would each face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
