Casino Crime Roundup: Wisconsin Jackpot Winner Robbed

Posted on: January 3, 2024, 05:36h. 

Last updated on: January 3, 2024, 12:37h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A woman who was carrying several thousand dollars in her pocketbook was robbed early Monday outside a Wisconsin gaming property.

Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison
Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, pictured above. The Wisconsin casino was the site of a robbery. (Image: Ho-Chunk Nation)

The sole bandit grabbed her bag as she and her husband returned to their car.

The couple had been inside Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison on New Year’s Eve, where she won an unspecified amount of cash. The couple left the property at about 2 a.m.

While outside, a man approached them and asked for a ride, according to Wisconsin TV station WKOW.

The couple refused to give him a ride. He then grabbed the purse and ran away.

By the time Madison Police Department (MPD) officers arrived, the suspect had left the area.

MPD officers were continuing to search for the robber as of early this week. No description was provided in local news reports, but officers may have gotten a description of the robber from the victims. It’s possible officers also reviewed surveillance video to view the suspect.

Neither of the victims appeared to have suffered injuries during the robbery.

Women Embezzle $15K From Casino

Two South Dakota women were to appear in court this week for allegedly stealing about $15K from a local casino.

They used the loot to bail out a man locked up in jail. Each woman was dating him.

Whitney Christopherson, 28, and Izabella Powell, 26, both of Sioux Falls, SD, allegedly stole the money from Happy Jacks Casino in Sioux Falls on August 4, according to South Dakota TV station KELO.

After the embezzlement, the pair drove to the jail to post his bail.

Police only recently arrested them. Both were booked at Minnehaha County Jail early this week.

Christopherson had worked at the gaming property. Powell accompanied her during the alleged crime.

When speaking with local police, Christopherson claimed she stole the money only after she was threatened, KELO reported.

Casino Visitor Stole Cash

A woman was behind bars this week after she allegedly stole $500 from a hotel located at Rivers Casino Pittsburgh.

Dominique Johnson, 32, of McKeesport, Pa., initially was apprehended by Pennsylvania State Police for the theft, according to Pittsburgh TV station WPXI.

She allegedly stole the cash from the Landing Hotel, which is located at the casino.

Police identified Johnson as the suspect after troopers watched surveillance video that captured the theft.

Johnson later was arrested for a narcotics violation after officers found drug paraphernalia on her, including three glass devices used to smoke drugs. There was narcotics residue on them, police said.

The pipes were inserted in cigarette cartons, which were inside a fanny pack.

Troopers additionally ran her name through a computer and found a pending warrant on her for failure to appear in court. She was charged on that count, too.

Johnson was booked at Allegheny County Jail. Her case was turned over to prosecutors.