Casino Crime Roundup: Robbers Mistakenly Steal Dinner Leftovers Rather Than $130K Jackpot

Posted on: September 17, 2024, 10:45h. 

Last updated on: September 17, 2024, 11:05h.

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

One suspect in a robbery scheme that targeted two elderly casino winners last February was recently arrested while his alleged accomplices remain free after they reportedly stole a bag containing steak and lobster rather than the $130K in cash the couple won at an Illinois gaming property.

Rivers Casino Des Plaines
Rivers Casino Des Plaines, pictured above. Three suspects began to follow two winners at the casino before two of them followed them home. The suspects mistakenly stole food rather than the jackpot in a robbery. (Image: Rivers Casino)

The victims were targeted at the Rivers Casino Des Plaines and followed to their Fox Lake, Ill. residence on February 10.

When the victims reached their home, about 38 miles from the gaming property, one of the robbers pulled out a handgun and grabbed a paper bag from the male victim, who was pushed to the ground, according to the Lake and McHenry County Scanner. The bandits then ran away before getting into a nearby vehicle.

But the suspects failed to look inside the bag. The female victim had placed the cash in her walker while the bag stolen by the robbers contained leftover food.

Police were alerted and after finding out the license plate number on the get-away vehicle, identified the two suspects.

Michael Britton, 27, of Chicago, was arrested on August 28. He was charged with armed robbery, aggravated robbery, and robbery of a victim over 60, according to the Fox Lake Police Department.

The defendants made off with her leftover steak and lobster as opposed to the $130,000,” Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Theis was quoted this week by the Scanner.

When Britton appeared in court recently, Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak said about the victims, “I guess in their own way, [they] outsmarted the bad guys.”

The second suspect, Aramie Kent of Maywood, Ill. is still being sought. A judge signed a warrant for his arrest. A third suspect spoke to the couple at the casino and was part of the robbery scheme, police said. She also is on the lam.

Atlantic City Casino Attack Leads to Arrests

An assault at the Tropicana Atlantic City led to a woman falling unconscious and a man being threatened by a knife on Sunday.

The female victim was kicked and punched in the head during the struggle. There’s no update on her current medical condition.

Security guards helped to break up the attack which led to the arrests of Damian Pineryo, 35, of Hazlet, NJ, and Keila Diaz, 47, of Freehold, NJ. Both were charged with aggravated assault. Diaz was also charged with simple assault while Pineryo was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and terroristic threats.

The incident began in the Quarter, a portion of the casino with restaurants and retail stores.

It wasn’t immediately known what led to the fight. It’s also unclear if others involved will be charged, according to the Daily Voice.