Las Vegas ‘Rogue Cop’ Goes on Trial for Armed Casino Robberies

Posted on: July 10, 2023, 12:43h. 

Last updated on: July 12, 2023, 07:04h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.

The trial of Las Vegas police officer Caleb Rogers, accused of robbing three casinos with his department-issued revolver, kicks off in a federal court Monday.

Caleb Rogers, Las Vegas, LVMPD
Caleb Rogers, above, appears at a bail hearing in Las Vegas in February 2022. On Monday, he will appear in a federal courtroom for trial. He denies the charges against him. (Image: LV-RJ)

Prosecutors say Rogers stole nearly $165K during the series of heists at the Red Rock, the Aliante, and the Rio sportsbook. The seven-year Las Vegas Metro Police Department veteran was tackled by security at the Rio and arrested.

Federal prosecutors are expected to paint Rogers as a hopeless gambling addict driven to take desperate measures by the burden of ever-increasing debt, reports the Associated Press.

Roger’s lawyer, Richard Pocker, will argue that evidence tying the alleged rogue cop to the Red Rock and Aliante robberies is weak. Pocker has accused investigators of pressuring witnesses into identifying Rogers as the suspect, including Rogers’ brother, Josiah Rogers.

Prosecutors say the MO was the same for all three crimes. On each occasion, the perpetrator wore a face mask, dark clothing, and black latex gloves, and he placed the cash in a bag inside his jacket. The perpetrator walked with a noticeable limp in all three robberies, according to court documents,

Rogers faces up to life in prison if convicted of the charge of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

In April 2022, Rogers pleaded not guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery and a single count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Violent Threats

During the Rio robbery, Rogers allegedly threatened to shoot sportsbook staff unless they relinquished the cash.

He then allegedly shoved a female sports book employee, who fell to the floor and allegedly repeated the threat after fleeing the building and being confronted by security near the casino’s parking garage.

Are you willing to be shot over this? I’m going to shoot you! Go ahead and shoot me now,” he said, according to a police report cited by KSNV.

Security guards wrestled the gun from Rogers and tackled him onto the pavement.

Brother to Testify

The trial is expected to hear testimony from Rogers’ brother, Josiah Rogers, who identified the defendant from security video of the first two robberies. Caleb Rogers is accused of using Josiah’s car in one of the heists, later telling him to get rid of it.

In return for his testimony, Josiah Rogers has been granted immunity from prosecution.

Caleb Rogers remains employed by LVMPD but is on unpaid leave pending the criminal case’s outcome.