Robbing a casino seems like the perfect crime. After all, George Clooney and Brad Pitt make it look so easy in Ocean’s 11 (and all subsequent sequels). However, most casino robberies tend to go awry, and we’ve compiled a list of the worst, most unsuccessful casino crimes attempts in recent history.
One of the most recent casino robberies took place in Australia in November 2012. A 35-year-old named Shayne Thomas Sara used a set of stolen keys to steal money directly from electronic gaming machines. He had been one tilt after losing hundreds of dollars earlier in the evening; so, when he visited the cashiers’ desk and noticed the keys, he had the bright idea to rob the venue.
He was sly enough to steal hundreds of dollars from three of the gaming machines – but he was not smart enough to hold on to his haul. Sara decided to head to another local gambling club and continue to play slots. During this session, he proceeded to lose yet again and was left without any money to his name.
Police discovered security footage of Sara, and apprehended him the next morning. He now faces three charges of larceny. One of the most talked-about casino robbery attempts took place during the spring of 2010 at the Bellagio. 29-year-old Anthony Carleo stole $1.5 million worth of chips from the casino, robbing a craps table at gunpoint for $1.5 million.
But, what was he going to do with the chips? He couldn’t cash them in at the casino without getting caught. So, he had the bright idea to sell them on the black market. Unfortunately for Carleo, local authorities were one step ahead.
Undercover police officers met up with the suspect to purchase the chips and arrested him immediately. Since the incident, the Bellagio discontinued the use to $25 000 chips and tightening up its security significantly.
A slightly more successful (but not by much) attempt to rob the Bellagio took place a decade earlier in 2007. Jose Vigoa, Luis Suarez and Oscar Sanchez tried to steal $160 000 from the casino.
They got away with the cash – but not for long. Jose Vigoa was caught on tape without his mask, and authorities were able to identify and apprehend him.
He was sentenced to life in prison, and gave up the names of his accomplices in the process.
So, it seems that crime certainly does not pay – especially in the casino world. In the past, there have been a few successful casino robbery attempts; however, today’s gambling venues have such tight security systems that even the smartest criminals cannot crack them.
