Two Bank Robbers Caught in Casino on the Same Day as the Robbery

Michael Dino Peraino and Tyler Michael Thayer, two alleged bank robbers, apparently drove over 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the bank they robbed on July 10 to spend the money in a tribal casino, only to be arrested on its floor later the same day.

How Did the Robbery Happen?

According to investigators, Peraino (63) and Thayer (31) drove a maroon 2010 Chevrolet Town and Country minivan to a Dollar General, where they bought glasses and eyeliner for Peraino to disguise his appearance before entering a Chase Bank. The two also reportedly stopped at Safeway to purchase foil paper.

Court documents show that, after Thayer dropped Peraino off in front of the bank, he approached a teller and handed her a note demanding $10,000 in cash. When the teller attempted to ask questions, Peraino allegedly told her not to look at him and claimed he had a gun. The teller complied and gave him cash, which included sixty $100 bills.

After the robbery, the pair drove to a Walmart parking lot, where they wrapped the money in foil and hid it in various parts of the vehicle, including the engine compartment. They then traveled 61 miles to the Apache Gold Casino and Resort in San Carlos, Arizona.

Suspects Get Arrested in Casino

Later that day, San Carlos police, in coordination with the FBI, located the suspects’ minivan at the casino. A search warrant led to the discovery of $2,000 inside the vehicle, along with a torn piece of paper that matched the demand note used during the bank robbery.

With assistance from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, authorities arrested Peraino and Thayer on the casino floor. Additional cash was found concealed in their clothing and in a room they had rented at the Best Western hotel connected to the resort.

The two were initially booked into the Graham County Adult Detention Facility on charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and theft. They were later transferred to FBI custody and are currently being held at the Central Arizona Correctional Facility in Florence, Arizona.

Michael Dino Peraino and Tyler Michael Thayer are scheduled to be arraigned on charges of conspiracy and bank robbery on September 5 in the US Magistrate Court in Tucson. Additionally, the US Attorney’s Office is seeking $10,267.06 in restitution, covering any money that was spent, hidden, or distributed. According to an FBI criminal complaint, Thayer has already admitted to participating in the robbery.