(AsiaGameHub) – A strange daylight heist occurred at the Isle of Capri Casino in Missouri last week, resulting in the arrest of a security guard connected to the crime.
Authorities are still actively searching for a second suspect who escaped with nearly $1.3 million from the casino.
An Inside Man Makes All the Difference
The robbery appeared to be proceeding as planned, and the perpetrators might have successfully evaded capture or identification for a significant period. However, a casino patron stepped in to confront the thieves.
This intervention allowed police to apprehend 21-year-old Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles, who was employed as a security guard at the facility. His accomplice, 20-year-old Hollis C. Vanleer Jr., remains at large, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol is currently working to take him into custody.
The incident unfolded in broad daylight at 2:13 pm when two masked individuals armed with AR-15-style rifles entered the casino. The suspects, believed to be Vanleer and an associate, quickly accessed the casino’s bank area and filled a duffel bag with $1,276,000.
As they neared the exit, a customer intervened and tackled one of the men. The second suspect returned and struck the patron in the face until his partner was able to break free.
The pair fled in a 1998 Ford Taurus, which was later discovered abandoned in Howard County. Inside the vehicle, investigators found a receipt for a purchase made with a card belonging to Charles, enabling officers to identify at least one participant and arrest him on Friday, March 27.
The Jig Is Up for the Security Guard
Charles was working his shift during the robbery, which was part of the scheme. He is considered the mastermind behind the operation, particularly since a weapon registered to him was recovered from the abandoned getaway car.
Charles spent approximately a month planning the heist, including coordinating his accomplices’ movements on the gaming floor and determining the optimal time to strike. Police also discovered explosive devices in the vehicle, which Charles stated were intended to serve as a diversion.
Regarding the stolen money and the rifles, Charles confessed to transporting them out of state. He faces charges of first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, armed criminal action, possession of explosive weapons, and tampering with physical evidence, while the search for his accomplices continues.
This article is provided by a third-party. AsiaGameHub (https://asiagamehub.com/) makes no warranties regarding its content.
AsiaGameHub delivers targeted distribution for iGaming, Casino, and eSports, connecting 3,000+ premium Asian media outlets and 80,000+ specialized influencers across ASEAN.
