South Dakota Arrests Man over Series of Casino Robberies

The man has used a firearm to threaten people inside the casinos to surrender their money, the Sioux Falls Police Department spokesperson told media outlets. The robberies began with a first hit against the Big Al’s Casino on December 19.

In this particular instance, the suspect entered the casino, used a firearm, and left with an unspecified amount of money. Sam Clemens, a spokesperson for the department who commented on the case, said that the authorities have been able to identify the perpetrator using security footage.

Police Act Methodically to Apprehend the Suspect

Reports say that the suspect did not actually draw a fire weapon but assured his victims that he had one and was prepared to use it. A second robbery happened on the same day at the Joker’s Casino.

While attempting to retrieve money from the casino, a clerk managed to hit a security button that alerted the authorities, with the suspect then fleeing the scene.

Luckily for authorities, they were able to identify the perpetrator’s vehicle and circulate the image among members of the community. A casino employee in the evening of the same day placed a 911 call having seen the suspect’s vehicle parked at the 500 block of Valley View Road.

The suspect, present at the scene at the time of authorities’ arrival, managed to flee, but ended up crashing the vehicle in the chase and had to continue on foot. Authorities swooped across the 5500 W. Christopher Place complex where he was hiding, though, and took him without an accident.

The suspect, who has remained anonymous, has been brought on several first-degree robberies, false reporting, and aggravated eluding charges, and will remain in jail, Clemens informed members of the press.

Sioux Falls has known its fair share of casino robberies with authorities aware of how to proceed in such cases. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts have been instrumental in making sure that the culprits are apprehended and brought to justice.

In July, two men robbed the Paradise Casino, although they were never apprehended. Another accident occurred in November last year at the Happy Jacks Casino. The case was also unresolved.