Bank reopens after shootout
Jonathan T. Lovitt
03/04/1997
USA Today
FINAL
Page 05A
(Copyright 1997)
LOS ANGELES -- The bullet holes were patched, flower beds replanted and
customers were back in line Monday.
But employees at Bank of America here are still recovering from the bloody
shootout Friday between police and two robbers armed with AK-47 automatic
rifles. The firefight left at least 13 police officers and civilians wounded and both
gunmen dead at the scene.
``We began the day uneasily but this is probably the safest branch in town
today,'' said Cary Walker of Bank of America. Eight extra guards were added
Monday.
Seven of the 10 employees on duty last week were back on the job. Two others
were expected to return by the end of the day. All were given counseling over
the weekend. Patrons reluctantly returned. Robert Allen, who was locked in the
vault with others during the heist, said, ``I have to make a deposit or I'm going to
have checks bouncing. . . . I've got to put this behind me.''
Out on the streets curiosity seekers were still gathering. ``That's where he died,''
said Edgar Escobar, pointing to a huge stain where one of the robbers, Larry
Phillips, 26, lay with a fatal head wound.
Police continued to investigate whether Phillips and the other robber, Emil
Matasareanu, 30, could have ties to a larger criminal organization.
The FBI said both men made off with $1.5 million last May from two banks.
Yet, two months later, a small-claims court entered a judgment against
Matasareanu for not paying a $271 rental car bill. In November he was sued over
a delinquent $5,819 payment to the Discover credit card.
``We're still following the money trail,'' police Cmdr. Tim McBride said
Monday. ``There's nothing to link them yet to any militia or paramilitary group.
However, we are not ruling it out.'
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