Watch CBS News

Family: Suspected Bank Robber In Wild South LA Pursuit Was 'Desperate'

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The family of one of the suspected bank robbers in Wednesday's wild downtown Los Angeles police pursuit said the situation is "heartbreaking" and the man was "desperate."

Four men led authorities on an hour-long chase after allegedly robbing a Bank of America branch in Canyon Country.

Two suspects jumped out of an SUV in Sylmar, while two others continued onto the 110 freeway in Pasadena and into downtown.

Sky9 captured two suspects throwing an unknown amount of cash along streets in Exposition Park.

Keon McGowan said her nephew, Lavelle Mosley, was the one giving away the money to residents in his South L.A. neighborhood.

"We're poor. That don't justify what happened, but we're desperate," she said.

McGowan said Mosley, a father of twin girls, recently lost his other aunt who was like a mother to him.

Her nephew also lost his younger brother, and his grandmother is on the verge of losing her home.

"I'm not saying that justifies what's going on, but sometimes we're out of our minds. We're not thinking… we're hurt," said McGowan.

So far, police have arrested three of the four suspects involved in the pursuit.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.