Norfolk armored truck robbery inside job, police say

NORFOLK, Va. (WTKR) -- The Norfolk Police Department has confirmed that Tuesday's Brink's armored truck robbery in the city was an inside job that involved an employee who claimed he was the victim.

According to Norfolk officials, Joshua Mercado, 26, of Chesapeake - who was the Brink's employee - has been charged with grand larceny, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, embezzlement, conspiracy to commit embezzlement, and obstruction of justice: false police report.

His accomplice is allegedly Keith Doughty, 26, and also from Chesapeake. He faces charges of robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, wearing a mask, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, embezzlement, and conspiracy to commit embezzlement.

An owner of a neighboring business caught the entire incident on his outdoor surveillance cameras, the video was handed over to police. News 3 obtained a copy of the footage which shows one man in a motorcycle helmet walking up to the Brinks truck, and walking away with a box.

"You can see him disappear, he comes back with the box of money, but the other gentlemen doesn't appear scared or alarmed. He just sees something going on as if to say what are you all doing," said Nick Renesis as he watched the footage and narrated what was caught on camera.

The call for the robbery came in around 11 a.m. on Tuesday and was at the Soaps-N-Suds laundromat in the 7600 block of Granby Street.

Both the Norfolk Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service were part of the investigation into the robbery.

Both men are currently being held at Norfolk City Jail.

Detectives have not stated how much money was taken in the robbery, or if the money has been recovered.