Several Florida police departments are looking for suspects involved in a 24-hour crime spree that targeted four casino corridors. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
The suspects are still at large
Employees and players in four arcades of a Florida casino were subjected to egregious crimes over the course of 24 hours by suspects who are still at large.
Armed robbery investigation scene
WINK NEWS It reported that on Thursday, four Lee County casino arcades had robberies and major theft incidents in just 24 hours. The Fort Myers Police Department took to Twitter after midnight Thursday to warn potential slot machine players that 3900 Cleveland Street, the location of the Black Horse arcade, was the scene of an armed robbery investigation:
The Black Horse theft attempt occurred shortly before the crime was called at 1:14 p.m., with a staff member reporting that although one of the suspects carried a gun, the would-be thieves were left without cash.
On Thursday, the suspects arrived at Lucky Turtle Arcade and White Sands Arcade. In Lucky Turtle, a woman allegedly held a gun to her head to force her to open the safe. In White Sands, two men in masks pulled a gun to an employee and fled with undisclosed sums of money.
gain taste
The fourth target in 24 hours was the Vegas Experience in Fort Myers, where police believe the suspects began their spree Wednesday. Video cameras captured the two men entering the casino at around 7:30 p.m. and playing various slot machines for several hours.
Secretly open insurance funds and remove a large amount of money before leaving”
While they were there, according to the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers, the pair were able to “discreetly open the lockers and clear a large sum of money before leaving.”
Trish Root, the crime control coordinator, stated that the suspects made off with about $18,000.
Among the casinos later hit, the suspects fled with an undisclosed amount from both the Lucky Turtle and White Sands Arcade. wink Lucky Turtle sponsor Tommy Ingraham cites saying he used to play when “The blonde lady, whom I think runs, walked out of it, and told me she had just been robbed.”
Casino crime series
according to winkAnd SWFL Crime Stoppers, Cape Coral PD, Lee County Police Bureau and Fort Myers PD are investigating other cases “believed to be related.”
While the crime wave involving many casinos in 24 hours may have set a new record or even created their own category, gambling-related crimes are nothing new. Just this month, for example, a man was murdered in a casino in Vietnam due to a $3,000 gambling debt. During the heart of the pandemic, a UK restaurant owner made false COVID-19 relief claims and used the money to gamble.
