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.'

  GRAPHIC,b/w,Grant Jerding, USA TODAY ,Sources: USA TODAY

  research,Guardian Technologies International(Diagram)