Casino Crime Roundup: Mohegan Sun Robber Found Guilty

Posted on: August 14, 2024, 10:46h. 

Last updated on: August 14, 2024, 10:54h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A man was found guilty this month by a Connecticut jury for pulling out a knife and stealing $55K from a visitor at the Mohegan Sun casino complex in 2022.

Edward L. Taylor, 33, of Bridgeport, Conn., was convicted following a criminal trial in New London Superior Court.

Victim Dragged by Car

Taylor and a second man also dragged the victim several yards as he held onto their vehicle in an effort to recover the stolen money. The victim had been pumping gas when the robbers approached him. He suffered minor injuries as he was dragged by the vehicle.

The guilty charges are first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, and first-degree larceny.

Forensic staff found Taylor’s DNA on the victim’s clothing. The victim was not identified in news reports.

Taylor will be sentenced on October 22 by Judge Shari A. Murphy, according to New London State’s Attorney Paul J. Narducci.

The Mohegan Sun casino is operated by the Mohegan Tribe. The casino is located near New London.

California Casino Visitor Kidnapped

A man was charged earlier this week after he allegedly apprehended a woman from California’s Tachi Palace Casino Resort. She was last seen getting into her vehicle with a man at the California tribal gaming property, authorities said.

The elderly woman was reported missing on Monday. She later was found unharmed in Paso Robles, Calif., by deputies tracking her cell phone signal, according to California TV station KFSN. Paso Robles is some 75 miles southwest of the casino.

Dustin Lemaster, 33, was nearby and later arrested by the Paso Robles Police Department. He was charged with kidnapping, extortion, and elder abuse. Lemaster was booked in the Kings County Jail. His bail was set at $240K.

Lemaster reportedly met the victim inside the casino, according to Yourcentralvalley.com. It’s unclear when their meeting turned into a kidnapping or why the suspect allegedly apprehended her.

Tachi Palace Casino Resort is operated by the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria. The casino is located in Lemoore, Calif, some 172 miles southeast of San Jose.