LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A Las Vegas man says a routine trip to the bank ended in a terrifying robbery just minutes later. He says someone followed him home and pulled a gun. Now, he’s sharing surveillance video of the encounter and hoping someone recognizes the people responsible.
WATCH | He shared his story with Channel 13:
Eli Levi says he had just withdrawn $18,000 in cash from a Wells Fargo branch at the intersection of Fort Apache Road and Flamingo Road. He planned to use the money to buy a work vehicle.
Minutes later, after arriving home and while still sitting inside his car in his driveway, another vehicle pulled up.
“When somebody points a gun to your head, you have no choice… you feel useless,” Levi said.
Home surveillance video captured what happened next. As Levi reached for an envelope of cash inside his car, he says a masked man got out of the other vehicle, approached him and pointed a gun at his face.
“A guy jumped out of the car, put a gun to my face, and all I could say was just no, please no,” Levi said.
He says he immediately handed over the cash.
“I was so nervous. I dropped it. He picked it up, got into the car, and they ran away,” Levi said.
The suspects made off with the money within seconds. Inside the home, Levi’s wife and daughters were only steps away.
“It’s not money that comes easily,” he said. “It’s a lot of money.”
Police are still investigating how the suspects knew Levi was carrying cash or whether he was specifically targeted. Levi believes he may have been followed after leaving the bank.
“Nobody knew that I’m going to the bank, nobody knew I’m getting cash out of the bank. Nobody knew where I was going with the cash,” he said.
In the days since the robbery, Levi says he’s been shaken, but grateful.
“Thank you for keeping me alive. As much as I need the money, thank you for keeping me alive,” he said, referring to the suspects.
He’s now releasing the surveillance video publicly in hopes it helps police identify them and prevent something similar from happening to someone else.
Police describe the suspects as two men wearing ski masks driving a black sedan without license plates.
Anyone who recognizes the vehicle or has information about the robbery is urged to contact Las Vegas Metropolitan Police or Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555.
