SUSPECTS IN TAKE-OVER ROBBERY WERE ACTIVE DUTY MARINES

Rolando residents to be reimbursed for doors broken down in house-to-house search

November 3, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The FBI is announcing the arrests of two U.S. Marines, Dominique Dontae Lasker, 26 and Davon Jacques Darden, 23, of San Diego for robbery of the California Coast Credit Unionat  8002 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa, on October 30th. The suspects, one armed with a handgun, entered the credit union wearing masks, the FBI reports. The men jumped over the teller counter and robbed multiple tellers at gunpoint.

A witness reported seeing a black Chevrolet Monte Carlo leaving the area at a high rate of speed. A San Diego Police sergeant located the vehicle on Mataro Drive. A suspect fled beyond Clay Elementary School and a chase ensued from La Mesa into a Rolando neighborhood, resulting in evacuation of four streets.
 

After a meticulous search of the area by the SDPD SWAT Team and Canine Units, Darden the suspect was found hiding inside a garage in the 6300 block of Stanley Avenue at approximately 5:45 p.m. The suspect was not struck by the officer’s rounds. The officer-involved shooting is being investigated by the SDPD Homicide Unit.
 

La Mesa Police Detectives and FBI Agents took custody of Darden. The next morning, Lasker voluntarily agreed to meet with detectives and FBI agents and was taken into custody at SDPD headquarters. The prosecution of Darden and Lasker will be handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
 

The two suspects are both active duty Marines.  They have been charged with federal bank robbery charges and are being held without bail after a judge ruled that they pose a danger to the community. 

"The two will more than likely face an administrative separation board," said Joseph Casas, a former military lawyer now in private practice, ECM news partner 10 News reported. "They could face a less than honorable discharge for being absent without leave."

Councilmember Marti Emerald, who represents the Rolando community, praised the San Diego Police Department for capturing the two suspected robbers without any injuries or loss of life.

Residents were allowed back into their homes after SDPD conducted a door to door search for the two armed men. “Our police did an outstanding job of protecting the public and capturing these two very dangerous suspects,” said Councilmember Emerald. “Residents in the neighborhood also tell us our officers showed the utmost respect to the community while tracking down the suspects, their guns, and the stolen money,” added Emerald, who chairs the City Council’s Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee.

During the door to door search police officers picked locks and searched some homes. Some doors had to be forced open and were damaged in the process. Those homes were on Seminole, Stanley, Acorn, and Catherine Streets.   The City will pay for damage caused by breaking down doors during the search, she added. To file a claim, call (619) 236 6670.