Robbers who shot armored car guard fled with no loot

Two men who robbed an armored car security guard Thursday morning at a bank just west of the Strip jumped the gun, getting away with nothing but an empty bag, Las Vegas police said.

The suspects fired three or four shots, hitting the security guard's pistol and his lower leg, police said. The attempted robbery occurred at 9 a.m. at a Wells Fargo bank branch at 4425 Spring Mountain Road.

Lt. Clint Nichols said one of the robbers pretended he was handicapped and approached the guard in a wheelchair as the guard was entering the bank.

"The wheelchair was just a ruse," Nichols said. "He immediately got out to commit the robbery."

He said the bag was empty because the guard was on his way into the bank to fill it. The guard's injury was nonlife-threatening, Nichols said. He said 20 to 25 people were inside the bank .

The suspects fled south on Arville Road. They were described as Hispanics, of average height and in their mid-20s or early 30s.

Reporter Mike Blasky contributed to this report. Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638