You're broke in Los Santos. It happens to the best of us. Whether you just blew all your heist money on a customized Adder or you're just starting out as Franklin in that cramped house, you need money fast. Most players think they need to wait for the next big mission from Lester to see their bank account grow, but honestly, that’s just not true. The map is crawling with opportunities if you know where to look. We’re talking about the places to rob in GTA 5 that actually make the risk-to-reward ratio worth the inevitable three-star wanted level.
Let’s get one thing straight: robbing a random pedestrian for fifteen bucks is a waste of your time. You've got to think bigger, but not so big that you're spending four hours on setup missions. Sometimes you just want that instant gratification of a register ringing and a getaway chase through the Vinewood Hills.
The 24/7 and LTD Service Station Grind
If you're looking for the classic convenience store experience, the 24/7 and LTD chains are your bread and butter. There are roughly 20 of these scattered across the state of San Andreas. You'll find a high concentration of them in the city, but the ones out in Blaine County are often easier to hit because the cops take longer to respond to the middle of nowhere.
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To get the most out of these places to rob in GTA 5, you should aim for the ones with two registers. Not every shop has them, but when they do, you can shoot the second register to make the cash pop out after the clerk has emptied the first one into the bag. It’s a simple trick, but it nearly doubles your take. You’re looking at anywhere from $500 to $1,200 per hit. It’s not millions, but it pays for ammo and armor.
One of the best spots is the LTD Service Station on Grove Street. It’s iconic. It’s dangerous. It feels like "old school" GTA. Just watch out for the local gang members; they don't take kindly to people causing trouble on their turf, and they might start shooting at you before the LSPD even gets the dispatch call.
The Senora Freeway Secret
There is a 24/7 located on the Senora Freeway that is almost too easy. Why? Because the highway is right there. You walk in, point your sawed-off at the clerk—who, let’s be real, is probably used to this by now—and grab the cash. By the time you’re out the door, you can be hitting 120 mph on the freeway. By the time the police cruisers spawn, you’re miles away.
Suburban and Ponsonbys: High-End Targets?
People often ask if you can rob the clothing stores. You can’t "rob" them in the traditional sense where a clerk puts money in a bag, but you can walk in, shoot the registers, and grab the money that drops. It’s a bit janky. Sometimes the store locks its doors the moment you pull a weapon, trapping you inside like a rat. If you’re going to try this at Ponsonbys, bring a fast car. The response time in Rockford Hills is aggressive.
The Armored Trucks: High Risk, High Reward
If convenience stores feel like small potatoes, you need to keep your eyes peeled for the Gruppe Sechs armored vans. These are basically mobile places to rob in GTA 5. They show up as blue blips on your mini-map when you’re nearby.
The strategy here is simple but requires precision. Don't just spray the van with bullets; that does nothing but attract the heat. You need to focus on the back doors. A well-placed sticky bomb or a few rounds from a shotgun directly at the rear door handles will blow them wide open. Cases of cash will spill out onto the pavement. Usually, you’re looking at a $3,000 to $7,000 payday.
There is a catch. The moment that door blows, you’re looking at an instant two or three-star wanted level. The guards are also heavily armed and won't hesitate to turn you into Swiss cheese. My advice? Do the "drive-by sticky bomb." Toss the explosive while driving, detonate it as you pass, loop back around to grab the money without stopping your car, and keep moving.
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Ammu-Nation: The Most Dangerous Game
Robbing an Ammu-Nation is sort of a rite of passage, but it’s objectively a terrible idea for profit. Why? Because the clerk is armed. Usually with a shotgun. And he knows how to use it.
If you’re feeling gutsy, you can walk in and try to take him out before he draws. If you succeed, you can shoot the registers for a decent chunk of change. However, the risk of getting blasted in the face the second you pull your gun is incredibly high. Most players find that the payout—which is roughly the same as a convenience store—isn't worth the firefight. But hey, if you need the adrenaline rush, it’s there for the taking.
Liquor Stores and the "Hidden" Spots
Beyond the big chains, there are independent liquor stores and pharmacies that are ripe for the picking. The Liquor Precinct in Little Seoul is a personal favorite. It’s tucked away, and the narrow alleys nearby make for great escape routes if you’re on a motorcycle.
Don't overlook the gas stations in the north, either. The Rob's Liquor in Great Chaparral is isolated. There’s something peaceful about robbing a store in the desert while the sun sets, then disappearing into the hills on a Sanchez.
Fleeca Banks (Story Mode vs Online)
It's a common misconception that you can just walk into any Fleeca Bank in free-roam and rob it. In the single-player story mode, these are largely decorative outside of scripted missions. You can't just walk up to the teller and demand the vault contents. However, in GTA Online, the Fleeca Job is your introductory heist.
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If you’re playing the main story with Michael, Franklin, and Trevor, your "robberies" are mostly limited to the stores and armored trucks mentioned above. The big banks are reserved for the major plot points. It’s a bit of a bummer, but it keeps the narrative stakes high.
How to Maximize Your Take and Survive
Robbing these places isn't just about pointing a gun. There’s a bit of "meta" to it. For example, did you know that if you have a microphone plugged in, you can actually yell at the clerk to make them move faster? It sounds ridiculous, but the game recognizes the audio input. If you don't want to wake up your neighbors, just firing a shot into the shelf behind the clerk's head has the same effect. Just don't kill them until after they've handed over the bag, or you'll have to collect the money yourself, which takes longer and results in a lower payout.
- The Mask Mechanic: Always wear a mask. If you commit a robbery while wearing a mask and then remove it once you're out of the police's line of sight, your wanted level will flash and disappear much faster. It’s a core mechanic that many players ignore.
- The Escape Vehicle: Never rob a place in a slow car. It sounds obvious, but the number of people who try to stick up a 24/7 in a stolen tractor is surprisingly high. Get something with good acceleration.
- The Helicopter Problem: Once you hit three stars, the police chopper comes out. If you’re in the city, heading for the subway tunnels or the storm drain (the "LS River") is your best bet. If you’re in the country, get off the road. The AI is much worse at tracking you through the brush than on the asphalt.
Why Some Locations Are Better Than Others
Location is everything. A store right next to a police station is a death trap. A store with a wide-open parking lot leaves you vulnerable to being boxed in by squad cars.
The best places to rob in GTA 5 are those with "organic" cover nearby. Think alleys, construction sites, or multi-level parking garages. The LTD in Little Seoul is great because you can immediately duck into the parking structures or the narrow streets of the Koreatown district.
Practical Steps for Your Next Crime Spree
If you’re looking to build up a quick $50,000 for some upgrades, don't just hit one store and stop. Create a "robbery circuit." Start in South Los Santos, hit the stores moving north toward Vinewood, then loop around the eastern side of the map through the industrial zones.
- Prep your gear. Buy a cheap mask at Vespucci Beach and make sure you have a fast, personal vehicle parked right outside the store door, facing the street.
- Target the double-register stores. Always check for that second till. It’s free money.
- Manage the Heat. If you get a three-star wanted level, stop robbing. Go hide in a bush or under a bridge until the stars fade. Trying to rob a second store while the cops are already looking for you is a one-way ticket to the hospital or jail.
- Use the "Swap Character" Trick. In single-player, if you're in a real bind and about to be busted, you can sometimes quickly swap to another character. It’s a bit of a cheese move, but it works in a pinch to reset the local chaos.
- Invest the Cash. Don't just sit on your robbery money. Put it into the stock market (LCN or BAWSAQ) if you’re playing the story mode. Use your "dirty" money to make "clean" money.
Robbing stores in Los Santos isn't going to make you a billionaire overnight—you'll need the Union Depository for that—but it’s the most consistent way to keep your pockets lined between missions. It’s about the thrill of the getaway as much as the cash itself. Just keep your engine running and your mask on.