From Oakland to Vegas
The past few days have seen a string of gambling-related crimes in different areas of the US.
$21,000 in cash and 18 illegal casino gaming machines
In California, Oakland police busted an illegal casino operation on Thursday. Officers seized $21,000 in cash and 18 illegal casino gaming machines in the process. They also found eight firearms, 30 high-capacity magazines, and $76,000 worth of narcotics.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas police have arrested two gamblers for negligent behavior. On Friday night, one man in north Vegas left his infant child locked inside his car while he gambled and drank in a casino. Similarly, another gambler faces charges of animal cruelty for leaving her dog in a car for the second time in two weeks.
Elsewhere in Las Vegas, police are searching for a man accused of robbing the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino last month. Authorities have released an image of the suspect in the hope that the public can help track him down.
A big bust in California
As reported by Fox KTVU, residents of a neighborhood in East Oakland, California said they witnessed a large police bust on the 1400 block of 14th avenue Thursday afternoon. The neighbors confirmed that the site in question also operates as a car wash.
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) has since announced the bust on Twitter, posting images of the firearms, drugs, and casino equipment seized in the operation:
According to authorities, the illegal casino operation had ties to violence, drugs, and human trafficking. Among the drugs seized were methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, and 60 bottles of promethazine. Police took one person into custody during the operation on Thursday.
illegal casino operation had ties to violence, drugs, and human trafficking
Commenting on the bust, OPD Chief LeRonne L. Armstrong commended the local community for its cooperation. “This investigation highlights the success when the community partners with our officers,” he said. “We will continue to do our best to address illegal gambling throughout Oakland.”
Negligent gamblers in Vegas
Police in Las Vegas have arrested two people this week on grounds of child abuse and animal abuse.
left his infant child in his car with the windows partially open
One man gambling at the Bighorn Casino in North Las Vegas on Friday night left his infant child in a car with the windows partially open. Authorities rescued the child and transported them to a pediatric facility. The infant’s condition is unknown.
Police found the drunk 39-year-old father, Mitchell Anthony Hooks, gambling inside the casino. They booked him on charges of child abuse and leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle.
Similarly, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has seen several incidents of dog owners leaving their pets inside hot cars over the past week. One such case saw a 25-year-old woman arrested. The department’s official Twitter page posted a video of the dog’s rescue:
This is the second time Alexandra Evans has left her dog locked in a car within the past two weeks. The first time, police rescued her pet from the same vehicle in the car park of the Wild Wild West Casino. She now faces charges of animal cruelty.
On the hunt for a thief
The LVMPD is hoping the public can help in the hunt for a suspect in a commercial robbery at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. The incident occurred on June 25 at around 8am and saw the suspect grab a bag of money from an employee of the facility before making his escape.
In the hope of catching the perpetrator, authorities have released an image of the suspect taken from CCTV. The LVMPD has described him as a black or Hispanic male, bald, 5’5” to 5’8” tall, 160 to 190 pounds, and last seen wearing a gray hoodie, jeans, and black shoes.