Casino Crime Round Up: Thief in Wheelchair Steals $5K at Casino

Posted on: March 23, 2024, 04:47h. 

Last updated on: March 25, 2024, 11:29h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

Police were on the lookout this week for a wheelchair-bound suspect who swiped about $5K in cash. The loot was on the floor at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh.

The money had been won by a slot machine player on March 8. He put it into a pocket but it then dropped onto the floor.

The winner continued to play the slots, and was unaware the money had fallen down, according to Pennsylvania TV station WPXI.

The stack of cash was made up of $100 bills.

A man who was in an electric wheelchair spotted the cash. It was behind the chair where the winner was sitting.

The thief grabbed the loot. He then fled from the gaming property.

The thief is believed to be between 50 and 60 years of age. He is white. The unnamed victim is from Westlake Texas.

Deputies Raid Gambling Joints

Searches of two illegal gambling operations led to the seizure of guns, $67K in cash, and 116 computers this week in North Carolina.

The raids took place at two businesses: Shark Tank on Statesville Boulevard in Salisbury and VIP2 on Highway 801 in Woodleaf, according to North Carolina TV station WBTV.

The searches were approved by a judge after authorities investigated suspected wrongdoing at the businesses, the report said.

Drugs, Violence

Both businesses were the sites of repeated violent incidents, firearm charges, and drug activity, according to Rowan County Sheriff Travis Allen.

The raids were part of a continuing effort to curb illegal gambling in the region.

“Any of these businesses that are operating illegally will be shut down… Many of these locations have been a hotbed of criminal activity, including armed and unarmed robberies, shootings, and assaults,” Allen said in a statement.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office will continue to make shutting down these establishments a priority, as they are one of the top complaints we receive from our citizens. Any businesses that are operating outside of North Carolina law in Rowan County have just been put on notice.”

When raiding the two businesses, the sheriff’s office used multiple officers, specially trained dogs, and a BearCat SWAT vehicle.

During the raid, authorities apprehended a felon in possession of a firearm. Charges will be filed. The owners of the businesses will be sent cease and desist letters.

The sheriff’s office said the following items were seized:

·                  Three semi-automatic pistols

·                  $67,670.10

·                  116 computers

·                  111 computer monitors

·                  Five gambling devices

·                  Six fish games tables

·                  Two money counters