Five real-life casino robberies that would be the envy of Bonnie and Clyde
Casino robbery, which is usually associated with the movie industry, is in reality a rare and complex crime. However, there are several famous cases of casino robbery that have become media stories. And we are not just talking about Bonnie and Clyde, about which many movies have already been made. Today we will tell you about other cases.
The Ritz Club, London, 2004
In 2004, there was an incredible robbery at The Ritz Club casino, located on London’s Piccadilly Street. The Ritz Club is part of the famous The Ritz hotel, which is considered one of the most luxurious and famous hotels in the whole world.
The interior of the casino is designed in the style of a royal palace, making it a vacation destination for celebrities and elite from all corners of the world. However, there was a robbery in this prestigious establishment, committed by a trio of criminals from Hungary and Serbia.
Three crooks, two men and one woman aged 32 to 38 years old, decided to violate the peace and safety of the casino’s visitors, stealing a sum exceeding $1.8 million. They managed to do so with the help of a laser scanner that was hidden in their smartphones.
This scanner was able to measure the speed of the ball and predict where it would fall on the roulette table. Thanks to this sinister device, they were able to fool the croupier and win significant amounts of money.
However, casino security quickly noticed the unusual activity and called the police. The criminals were apprehended right during the game as they tried to continue their illegal machinations. Their complete robbery was foiled and the amount of money was recovered by The Ritz Club Casino.
Crown Casino, Melbourne, 2013
In 2013, there was a robbery at Crown Casino in Melbourne in which one of the casino’s employees was complicit. The manager in charge of VIP customer service conspired with a businessman from New Zealand and used CCTV cameras to help the player win a large sum from the casino and share it with him.
After a successful series of 10 games of various card games, the businessman received a winnings of approximately $32 million dollars. However, casino employees noticed unusually large winnings from one player and began checking their security system. As a result of the investigation, it was learned that the VIP manager had accessed the video surveillance cameras of the gaming hall and was signaling the businessman to make profitable bets.
Almost all the money was recovered, so the Crown Casino management decided not to charge the criminals. The story is great, but it is a pity that today such a thing could not be done. Modern technologies, including the ability to play from mobile devices, maximize the protection of the interests of both parties. For example, MostbetApp allows you to play anywhere and do it completely safe.
Soboba Casino, California, 2007
In 2007, Soboba Casino in California was the site of an unusual robbery attempt inspired by the plot of the popular movie Ocean’s Eleven. One of the crooks even admitted to using ideas from the movie for his criminal plan.
As in the case of the previously mentioned Crown Casino in Melbourne, an employee of the casino itself was also involved. But instead of the manager of VIP clients, this time the crime involved a technician of the institution.
The fraudster, armed with a fake gun, threatened the casino guards and was able to gain access to the cash, which amounted to almost 1.6 million dollars. He then fled to a nearby motel with his accomplices.
The mastermind of the crime later admitted that he had used cocaine before attempting the robbery. This may explain his unusual motivation and abrupt decision to rob the casino. Fortunately, law enforcement was able to quickly apprehend the criminals and recover almost the entire amount stolen.
The Bellagio, Las Vegas, 2000
In 2000, one of the most popular casinos in Las Vegas, the Bellagio, was the site of a deeply disturbing robbery. The main perpetrator was Jose Vigoa, who was known for his involvement in a series of thefts and robberies.
With the help of two accomplices, Vigoa broke into the Bellagio building, where they threatened staff and security with guns in order to steal money and casino chips. As a result, they were able to carry away more than $150,000 in cash and some of the chips.
It is worth noting that Jose Vigoa did not even bother to wear a mask, which was one of the reasons why he was quickly identified and put on the wanted list. It didn’t take long before he was found.
As a result of this robbery and his previous crimes, Jose Vigoa was sentenced to four life sentences. This decision was made due to the seriousness and magnitude of his crimes, including this robbery.