Palmdale, a town not typically known for high-stakes crime, was the scene of a movie-like bank heist earlier this year. A Chase bank security guard, 24-year-old Tyjana Grayes, was arrested after federal authorities accused her of helping to orchestrate an armed robbery in February. Two other suspects, Jerry Wimbley Jr., 21, and Roman Isaiah Smith, 24, both Lancaster residents, were also nabbed for their alleged roles in the incident.
According to the NBC Los Angeles report, Grayes discovered that a couple would be withdrawing a large sum of $200,000 and then purportedly recruited Wimbley and Smith to carry out the robbery. It was upon leaving the bank with the hefty cash withdrawal that the couple was confronted by the two armed men, determined to quickly and wildly divide the spoils.
The FOX LA coverage of the indictment adds that Wimbley proceeded to launder the stolen money at a nearby casino, transacting a total of roughly $168,700, suspiciously without purchasing chips on a number of visits. Wimbley also faces additional gun charges being a felon found in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The Los Angeles Times pointed out that, hidden amidst patrons and passersby, the security guard Grayes communicated with an unidentified individual to relay the location of the withdrawing couple. The co-conspirator was supposed to then keep Wimbley and Smith informed to optimally prepare to ambush the victims.
Information obtained from the ATF's report notes that all three suspects are faced with a string of charges including conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. If convicted on all counts, they could each face a life sentence in federal prison.
