Casino crime summary: Rapid City casino robbed at Knifepoint
Rapid City, South Dakota police continue to search for a knife-wielding robber who robbed a local casino on Wednesday.
The robbery happened around 8 a.m. at the 777 Casino on West Main Street, Rapid City TV station KNBN reported. The lone robber ordered the casino employee to hand over the money. After the worker handed over an undisclosed amount of cash, the suspect fled.
As of this week, police have not identified the suspect, but the robber is believed to be of Hispanic or Native American descent and about 5 feet 10 inches tall. He was wearing a red, white and blue mask, a gray sweatshirt and dark pants.
No one was injured in the robbery.
The same casino has been robbed before, including one just before Christmas last year.
Shooting near Oklahoma casino
An argument between brothers led to gunfire outside the Gold Mountain Casino in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on Tuesday morning.
According to Texas television station KXII, ten officers from the Chickasaw Nation Police Department were on the scene of the Oklahoma City shooting. Police arrested an unnamed suspect. They also seized a firearm. No one was injured during the fight and confrontation.
A nearby educational institution, Southern Polytechnic, was placed on lockdown during the incident. The casino remained open during the incident.
Illegal gambling leads to five arrests
Five suspects were recently brought to justice after dozens of slot machines were seized in store raids in Michigan last year.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB) announced the arrests after investigating activity at the State Road site in Davidson, Michigan, and the Bristol site in Burton, Michigan. Both are in Genesee County.
Authorities seized 100 illegal gambling devices during the raid. Additionally, more than $29,000 in cash and 62 gift cards were seized.
The Davidson gambling den has 65 gaming machines, including 54 computer towers and 11 slot machines. Burton Casino has 23 computer towers as well as 12 slot machines and other equipment.
Both raids took place on April 27, 2022
Two suspects, Joseph Toporek and Mary Larkin, face eight charges. They include:
- Three counts of operating a gambling establishment without a license
- Three counts of using a computer to commit a felony
- Maintain a winning casino
- Run a theater
The other suspects, Shaun Bellah Sr., Shaun Bellah II and Ghazwan Brikho, each face ten charges, including:
- Five counts of engaging in criminal activity Conspiracy to commit criminal activity
- Operating a gambling business without a license
- Use computers to commit crimes
- Maintain a winning gambling establishment
- Operate a casino
Each suspect was arraigned in Genesee County District Court in August and September. The suspect was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Investigation started
The MGCB launched an investigation after receiving a tip about Burton's illegal activities. As part of the investigation, police learned of gambling activity at a second location.
Accountability is critical when it comes to upholding justice and ensuring a fair and honest gaming environment in Michigan,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said in a recent statement.
“While the Michigan Gaming Control Board will continue to hold those who choose to circumvent the law accountable for their actions, we also recognize the importance of fairness, equality and the presumption of innocence unless proven otherwise.”
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Source: www.casino.org
