Police have arrested a man suspected of following and stealing a woman who won a double jackpot of $18,000 at Prairie Meadows Casino (pictured) in Iowa. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
violent protest
Police in Des Moines, Iowa, have arrested a man suspected of being involved in a violent armed robbery at a jackpot casino on her way home.
One of the attackers pushed her off the road and stole her
The unnamed woman was carrying $18,000 in cash she had won at the Prairie Meadows casino, racetrack and hotel in Altoona when an assailant pushed her off the road and robbed her. This happened around 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday. Des Moines police finally arrested Timothy Jacob Spencer in the same casino about 48 hours after Wednesday night.
According to a criminal complaint, a Berwick man saw the woman win two prizes Tuesday at Prairie Meadows worth a total of about $18,000. The woman left the casino and headed home when two vehicles forced her off the road. according to Des Moines Recordthe driver of the second car got off and hit the side window of the grand prize winner’s passenger.
Court documents allege that Spencer got out of his car with a gun, climbed into the victim’s window, and smashed it before opening the door and stealing her purse, which was carrying her winnings.
The suspect claims the jackpot
Police used the victim’s description of Spencer to identify him through surveillance footage and arrested him at the Prairie Meadows casino on Wednesday night. Police booked him at the Polk County Jail in the early hours of Thursday.
according to PlayIA, a search warrant on a white Spencer Jeep Cherokee and a Berwick trailer netted $3,000 net $100 denomination, 15 discs of Oxycontin, and a 38 Special pistol in his bedroom. Spencer has admitted buying a new $400 cell phone but maintains he is innocent of following the woman or stealing her money. He said all of those sloppy $100 bills were from his $10,000 jackpot a few weeks ago.
It is suggested that he used the cash to buy several phones for $500.”
But in the criminal complaint, the officers noted that Spencer’s drive away from the Altona casino put him miles away from the crime. In addition, an Iowa news source said, “A receipt was found in his trailer indicating that he used the cash to purchase several phones for $500.”
Bail group, hear soon
Officials charged Spencer with burglary, first-degree theft, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, armed with intent, and controlled substance charges.
according to PlayIA, District Judge Becky Goetsch has set August 1 as the date for a preliminary trial hearing. Spencer, who said he was unemployed in a lawsuit, has $60,000 bond. He asked the court to appoint a lawyer on his behalf.
It is not yet clear whether the police have found the second suspect.
