• The duo would hang around casinos in California and mark victims
• They would look for people who have won several thousand and track them
• Most of the attacks happened on highways where the duo robbed their victims at gunpoint

Two men have finally been arrested for a series of robberies that they committed against casino patrons. The men, Juan Gabriel Gonzalez, 22, and Dereck Nathan Lopez, 21, are going to appear in court separately and face multiple counts of interference and attempted interference with commerce by robbery, among other charges that could see them put away for good.

Highway robbers may face up to life imprisonment if convicted

The pair concocted a vile scheme whereby they would trawl casinos in California and look for people who appeared to be winning. The pair would then try to strike up a conversation with the people and find out more about their would-be victims.

Later, when people would leave, Gonzalez and Lopez would run the victims off the highway and hold them at gunpoint, asking them to hand over their money, and if available, casino chips that they would later return to cash in at the casinos.

In one instance, the pair robbed a woman out of $21,000, and they pulled three similar robberies in a single evening. The number of robberies in total is about 15, according to the US Department of Justice.

The duo was not acting alone, as they had help. The press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California simply stated that Gonzalez and Lopez were acting together with co-conspirators.

Unsuspecting victims lost thousands of dollars to the violent robbers

It is believed that the pair has stolen at least $130,000 in casino winnings from their victims. Given their criminal past, and most recent criminal activity, the pair may face up to life imprisonment, provided they are convicted on the long litany of charges they now face.

The duo and their co-conspirators are also said to have acted near casinos, attempting to rob people while they were leaving the casinos. Police also found a firearm and ammunition at Lopez’s house, further aggravating his case as he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

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