Failed Dutch Casino Robbery Could Lead to Suspended Sentences

Three people accused of attempting to rob a casino in the Dutch town of Sluis could avoid returning to prison after prosecutors proposed suspended sentences instead of additional jail time. The case relates to a failed plan in September 2023 that collapsed when one of the suspects unexpectedly encountered the casino’s manager and fled in panic.

Inside Job Plan to Rob Dutch Casino Revealed in Court

The defendants, two men and a woman, appeared in court last week and admitted their involvement in the attempted robbery. Prosecutors explained that the group had spent months discussing the scheme and met several times to organize it, as reported by Dutch media Omroep Zeeland. Their goal was to take about EUR 50,000 ($57,920) from a safe inside the casino located on St. Annastraat.

According to the investigation, the plan relied on an inside accomplice. The woman, who worked at the casino at the time, allegedly agreed to help the two men carry out a staged hold-up shortly before closing time. One of the men was supposed to hide in the building before the casino shut its doors. After the employee locked the entrance while leaving the key in place, the safe could be opened according to internal procedures.

The hidden accomplice would then unlock the door for the second man, who was expected to enter wearing a disguise and carrying a fake firearm. He would pretend to threaten the employee, who was secretly cooperating, allowing the group to take money from the safe without attracting suspicion.

Staircase Mishap Foils Planned Casino Heist

However, events did not unfold as planned. When the disguised robber entered the building and climbed the stairs, he unexpectedly ran into the casino manager. Startled by the encounter, he tried to escape immediately. During the hurried retreat, he fell down the stairs and broke his arm, which allowed the manager to restrain him until the police arrived.

Authorities were notified shortly afterward, ironically, by the employee who had been part of the conspiracy. The second man who had hidden inside the casino fled after learning that the plan had gone wrong, but investigators later arrested him as well after the detained suspect began speaking with police.

During the trial, the three defendants expressed regret and explained their motivations. One of the men said he had hoped to resolve financial problems linked to gambling, while the other reportedly needed money after losing his ability to work due to an accident. The former employee admitted she had agreed to participate partly to help a friend and partly because she expected a share of the money.

All three spent about five months in pretrial detention. Prosecutors told the court that since their release, the suspects have made significant efforts to improve their lives, including addressing debts and overcoming substance addiction.

Although attempted robbery could normally lead to a prison term of around fourteen months, the prosecution recommended an eight-month suspended sentence combined with the maximum community service order of 240 hours. A court decision is expected within two weeks.