Elderly Man Allegedly Stalked, Robbed at Lincoln, Rhode Island’s Twin River Casino

Posted on: January 19, 2020, 01:33h. 

Last updated on: January 19, 2020, 04:24h.

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

A 69-year-old casino player — tailed by an alleged bandit while inside Rhode Island’s Twin River Casino — was later robbed at knifepoint Saturday night while in his car, according to police reports. A suspect was arrested a short time later and was being held without bail this weekend.

The suspect got hold of the wallet and scooped out an undisclosed amount of cash. He then tossed the wallet back at the man, who remained in the driver’s seat.

Cash, Cell Phone Robbed

The victim’s cell phone and glasses were also stolen. The suspect additionally searched the victim’s clothes before fleeing into the casino. He later drove away in a gray Toyota with Massachusetts license plates that had been parked in another lot, WJAR reported, based on police reports.

Lincoln Police Captain Philip Gould said police were notified about the hold-up shortly before 6:30 p.m.

Police said they were able to trace the suspect’s identity by photos and video, allegedly of the victim and the car, supplied by casino security.

Police identified the robber as Anthony McClain, 30. The car was registered to an address in Massachusetts. But when police checked, there was also a connection to a residence in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Pawtucket police located the car and said McClain was allegedly near the auto when they arrived. Police claim he was wearing the same clothing as the robbery suspect.

Police added McClain had a knife when he was apprehended. McClain allegedly had been following the 69-year-old through Twin River earlier on Saturday, the Providence Journal reported.

He was charged with first-degree robbery. He was arraigned in Rhode Island court and on Sunday was being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston.

If convicted, he could face between 10 years and life in prison. He could also be ordered to pay up to $15,000 in fines.

Twin River Robber Sentenced in December

In December, a Boston man was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to robbing a woman in a parking lot at Twin River Casino. Anthony Harris, 27, pleaded guilty to a single count of first-degree robbery.

He allegedly stole a purse from the woman as she walked back to her car, according to the Providence Journal.

Superior Court Justice Luis M. Matos sentenced Harris to prison for just six of 12 years. For the other six years, he was given probation, The Journal said.

The judge also ordered Harris not to contact the victim. He must also pay $590 in restitution to the woman, The Journal added.

Last month, a former Twin River Casino executive was named in a Rhode Island grand jury indictment for his alleged involvement in a kickback scheme with a casino vendor.

Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha (D) alleged that Michael Barlow used his position as vice president of food and beverage at Twin River to orchestrate a kickback deal with casino vendor Yehuda Amar.

Barlow was charged with 12 counts, including accepting a bribe, obtaining property under false pretenses, and casino gaming crimes.

Amar was charged with 21 counts, including bribery, obtaining property under false pretenses, conspiracy to obtain property under false pretenses, and failures to file corporate and personal income tax returns.

Amar’s business associate, Jill Feldman, was additionally charged with six counts relating to tax crimes.

Elsewhere, last month a Pennsylvania man was arrested for allegedly abducting an 84-year-old woman from the Wind Creek Bethlehem casino garage and later robbing and repeatedly striking her.

Hykeem Rasmeen Sessoms, 38, of Bethlehem, was charged with kidnapping, robbery, threat of serious bodily injury, terroristic threats, theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault, the local prosecutor’s office confirmed.