Criminal Accused of Stealing $50,000 Worth of Poker Chips and $78,000 in Checks from a Gaming Pro in Miami
A Florida resident named Alejandro Eugenio Arguello, from Plantation, was taken into custody on Tuesday for allegedly following a poker player from a casino in Dania Beach to the victim's apartment building in Miami. The robbery occurred there, as per Miami-Dade police.
Arguello, who is 35 years old, is accused of attacking the man, drawing a firearm, and demanding the victim to hand over gaming chips worth $50K and checks amounting to another $78K. After snatching a bag containing the chips and checks, Arguello and another suspect reportedly made their escape.
The victim, known in court as "Dan," was not critically injured during the robbery. He informed Miami-Dade police about the incident, revealing that he had been playing poker at the Casino at Dania Beach earlier that night. The police reviewed the casino's surveillance footage, which showed the suspect stalking the victim. Cell phone records also indicated Arguello's presence at the casino and the apartment building that day. Upon learning about an arrest warrant, Arguello surrendered to Miami-Dade police on Tuesday.
Arguello was charged with single counts of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and accessory after the fact.
Request for Bail
During a bail hearing in Miami-Dade criminal court on Tuesday, an anonymous defense attorney contended that there was no evidence linking Arguello to an alleged getaway car, as reported by Miami TV station WTVJ.
The attorney argued, "Merely being present during the commission of a crime doesn't essentially mean that you're part of the crime." The attorney further asserted, "I don't think there's probable cause for armed robbery."
Miami-Dade Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer ordered the suspect to be held without bond, according to jail records. As of Thursday morning, Arguello remains in custody at the Miami Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Center.
Tracked Poker Player
In their arrest report, the police stated that the suspect started following the victim at the casino, where he was participating in high-stakes poker games. The player got into his Land Rover, and Arguello reportedly followed him. Arguello then drove behind the victim in a rented Ford Escape as he made his way from 301 East Dania Beach Boulevard in Dania Beach on the approximately 20-mile journey back home.
When the poker player reached his apartment complex on Northeast Miami Gardens Drive, he got out of the SUV and entered an elevator. Allegedly, Arguello followed the victim into the elevator, which is where the assault and robbery took place.
