SANTA ANA, Calif. – A brazen spree of armed robberies targeting massage parlors across Los Angeles and Orange counties has landed two men in federal custody. Andy Cuellar, 28, of Hawthorne, and Arturo Morales, 27, of Downey, are facing serious federal charges after a swift takedown by law enforcement last Friday.
The pair are accused of pulling off more than a dozen armed heists, terrorizing business owners and employees. The latest incident, on February 16th, saw them allegedly rob a massage parlor in Torrance. Investigators say Cuellar acted as the getaway driver in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee while Morales carried out the robbery. A short pursuit ensued, ending less than two miles from the scene at a gas station.
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, the suspects were caught red-handed, sifting through stolen items at the back of the Jeep, even discarding some in the trash. When officers arrived, both men fled on foot, shedding evidence as they ran. Morales was found with a staggering $4,000 in cash, while Cuellar had $400 and was wearing a blue Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap – a piece of clothing allegedly linked to previous robberies.
A search of the Jeep revealed a .38-caliber firearm, reported stolen back in 2018. Authorities believe Cuellar and Morales are responsible for at least twelve additional armed robberies occurring between January 12th and January 29th, hitting businesses in Santa Ana, Reseda, Venice, Orange, Bellflower, and Redondo Beach. The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Orange County Violent Crime Task Force (OCVCTF), involved a multi-agency collaboration with the Brea, Santa Ana, and Fullerton Police Departments, as well as the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Both Cuellar and Morales are charged with interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act) and using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence. They are scheduled to make their initial appearances in United States District Court in Santa Ana. If convicted, they each face a potential sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the robbery charge and a life sentence for the firearm violation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Butler and Jena A. MacCabe are prosecuting the case. While a criminal complaint has been filed, it’s crucial to remember that both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. This investigation remains ongoing, and further details may emerge as the case progresses.
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