- Jun 2, 2018
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Robbery at Los Santos Bank - 3 critically injured in gunfight
A SAN News Breaking report
Author: John Strickland • Date: 05/08/2018 06:44 GMT • Tag: Crime, Gangs, Economy
The Bank of San Andreas in Los Santos has fallen victim of a robbery for the 3rd time this year. Perpetrators appear to be members of the notorious ''Norteños La Familia'' (NLF) criminal group, who have recently established a firm foothold on the city's criminal underbelly. Confirmed casualties of this violent raid are two yet-unnamed members of the LSPD and one SAN News reporter, Mr. Clyde Grothman. Reports on further victims and arrests are still pending. More information on the gang can be found here.
Photo from inside the vault (Taken from Mr. Grothman's salvaged camera).
NLF struck under the cover of night around 3:50 AM, using the late hour and low frequency of police patrols to strike. They quickly detonated the vault doors using C4 plastic explosives and made their way inside. According to official statements, the criminals swiped an astounding 419.000$ from the vault's coffers. This loss is predicted to have a profound effect on the bank's trust and credit rating in the following week, a fact that undoubtedly will send local and international markets reeling.
Updates on the incident are still coming in, but SAN News has managed to piece together from a variety of sources what appears to be the main timeline of the events that unfolded :
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3:45 - A group of individuals wearing Hispanic-american gang colors is recorded on CCTV standing at Vinewood Avenue, just outside the bank. They do not appear to be brandishing any weapons, though one member is holding a walkie-talkie and is talking incessantly with whoever else is on the line.
3:50 - The group unloads several rounds of live ammunition into the entrance, shattering the glass door. It is at this point that reporter Clyde Grothman, hearing the shots from his office down the road while working on a a weather report, decides to investigate. As he makes his way to the destroyed doors, more gang members arrive in yellow SUVs.
3:55 - The gang detonate the vault doors and begin to unload money into large duffel bags. The explosion is heard as far as Santa Monica Beach. This alerts concerned citizens who begin to dial in the 911 hotline to report the sound. NLF allow Clyde Grothman to stay and collect information in his professional capacity.
4:10 - LSPD begins to move out to Vinewood with the assistance of the FBI. Having not returned home that night, a concerned family member of Mr. Grothman has incorrectly reported him as missing. This worries the authorities, thinking they might have a hostage situation on their hands.
4:21 - Law enforcement arrives on scene and sets up barricades around the bank's perimeter. Hearing the commotion outside, the reporter quickly steps outside and allays their fears. Police and FBI high commands deploy the first steps of their counter-offensive strategy.
4:30 - All law enforcement units are ready and in-position to strike. Clyde Grothman follows squad B, that intends to enter the bank from the back door in a ''pincer'' move. Before entry, several flash grenades are thrown inside to confuse the robbers.
4:32 - Police storm the front and back entrance, gunning down the criminals who have opened fire with little hesitation. Video footage in unclear at this point, but either through intent or bad luck by being caught in the crossfire, Clyde Grothman is shot and falls to the floor, recording some final scenes of mayhem as his camera cuts to black.
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NLF quickly dispose of a gang member who's having second thoughts about the robbery. It is common for deserters or apprehensive gang members to be ruthlessly executed on sight, regardless of location or time (Footage from Clyde Grothman's camera).
In an incredible stroke of luck, the newscaster reportedly crawled his way out and was picked up by paramedics standing near the scene. He is, however, in critical condition. His fate, along with the other two confirmed LSPD officers, is yet to be determined. Neither LSPD nor FBI have released any official statements with regards to arrests or prosecution of the gang members involved in this atrocity.
We here at SAN News would like to ask you, the public, to keep the victims of this incident in your thoughts and prayers. Economic support and blood donations can be given by contacting All Saints general hospital where all three patients are being kept. We would also like to warn that the bank is still considered a 'no-go zone' for civilians, according to the most recent statement made by the Chief of Police, so all members of the public are advised to stay away from the location until further notice.
In closing, we bring to you the brave footage that Mr. Grothman recorded during his time inside and outside the bank, and paid for in lead. It is our hope that the offenders will be brought to justice, and that this video-documentation may be of some help to that cause.
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