Man Killed After Winning Big at Casino

Santa Ana - A man who had won thousands of dollars at a Hawaiian Gardens casino early on Friday apparently was followed to Santa Ana by two people, one of whom assaulted and robbed him and the other fatally struck him with a car as the criminals fled, authorities said.

The 55-year-old victim -- whose name was not released -- and a female companion had driven to Santa Ana, where the woman lives, when another motorist cut them off in the 100 block of South Anders Place about 4:30 a.m., Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

A man armed with a knife got out of the suspect vehicle -- a gray compact with tinted windows -- and demanded money from the victim, Bertagna said.

The victim got out of his Honda Accord and tried to run away, but the robber caught up with him a short distance away and a fight ensued, Bertagna said.

The robber took a portion of the money the victim had with him and got back in the suspect vehicle, with a cohort in the driver's seat. As the robbers fled, the vehicle struck the victim, police said.

An autopsy determined the victim died of blunt-force injuries apparently suffered when he was hit by the car, Bertagna.

The woman, who was unhurt, screamed throughout the attack, drawing the attention of passers-by, Bertagna said. Investigators interviewed the woman in an effort to get a description of the robbers. No information was available about the person driving the suspect vehicle.

There were other witnesses, but their attention was drawn to the screaming woman, Bertagna said.

It's not clear how much money was stolen, but the victim had won thousands of dollars at the casino, according to the officer.

"It appears they were followed from the casino because the guy went straight for the money," Bertagna said.