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Rash Of Casino Robberies Tied To Trend Toward Violence, Arrogance1 December 2000LAS VEGAS , Nevada –Dec. 1, 2000 – As reported by the Associated Press: “…Since September 1998, robbers have staged a string of bold casino heists at the Treasure Island, Bellagio, New York-New York, Mandalay Bay, Desert Inn and MGM Grand hotels, among the glitziest and biggest on the Strip. ”With millions of dollars in surveillance cameras and a small army of security guards, who dares to rob a casino? Las Vegas police Lt. John Alamshaw says it takes a combination of violence and arrogance. ”…The perception was in the old days, when casino ownership was less corporate and perhaps more an organized family affair, that no one who valued their health would try to knock off a casino. It seemed too risky to steal money that might be the mob's. ”…`I don't want to say it's a rash,' Alamshaw said, `because five of the robberies were done by the same group,' he said referring to evidence that links the men accused of the Bellagio heist in June to other casino cage thefts. ”…Two of the suspects in the Bellagio robbery -- Jose Vigoa and Luis Suarez -- are scheduled for trial Dec. 8. Alamshaw pointed to Vigoa as an example of what he refers to as criminals' growing arrogance. ”`Vigoa stayed in town even though his face was all over TV.’” |