Suspect in Armored Car Heist Still at Large

SAN FRANCISCO — An armored car guard accused of slaying his partner and stealing $300,000 remained on the loose Wednesday while police questioned an alleged accomplice and recovered most of the money.

In a predawn raid, a SWAT team burst into a Sacramento motel room rented to Thomas Wheelock, 20, and found cash stuffed in paper bags beneath the mattress. The money was still in the plastic wrapping of Oakland-based Armored Transport of California, where Wheelock had worked, authorities said.

“Mr. Wheelock was not in the room . . . [but] we recovered a substantial portion of the lost cash and some evidence in that room,” Oakland Police Capt. Peter Dunbar said.

Trying to flee the Bay Area, Wheelock bought a used Ford Bronco in Sacramento after the crime Tuesday and checked into the motel, police said.

Wheelock used his own name for both transactions, though he had been the subject of an intensive manhunt since his partner, 30-year-old Rodrigo J. Cortez, was found shot to death inside an armored truck earlier that day in San Ramon.

The auto dealer tipped off police after recognizing Wheelock from photos broadcast on television.

Authorities said Wheelock and his Bronco were spotted later that day by a California Highway Patrol officer about 80 miles north in Red Bluff. The vehicle, which was broken down along Interstate 5, was towed with the aid of the unwitting officer to a service station. When the Bronco was fixed, Wheelock paid the bill in cash and apparently continued north, Oakland Police Sgt. Mike Foster said.

“Obviously, he’s still on the move and driving,” Foster said.

Meanwhile, Peter York, a former roommate of Wheelock and an alleged accomplice, was in custody Wednesday, booked for investigation of murder and robbery. York, in his early 20s, was arrested late Tuesday.

“We believe Mr. York was involved in the planning of this event and [in providing] some assistance following this event,” Dunbar said.

Police allege that Wheelock shot his partner several times late Monday or early Tuesday, then cleaned out the armored car.

The two last were seen together Monday night, when they made a final stop about 7:30 p.m. in east Oakland, police said.

Wheelock had been working at Armored Transport for less than two months and was on probation for a misdemeanor robbery, according to the FBI.

Cortez worked at Armored Transport for about five years, family members said. He was married, with a 3-year-old son.

His widow, Marlene Cortez, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he had kissed her goodbye as he always did before leaving for work Monday morning.

“I didn’t open my eyes,” said Cortez, 28. “I didn’t know it was going to be the last time.”