Summary
- Police arrest individuals for Rivers Casino robbery
- At least four males were wanted in connection with the casino armed robbery.
- The victims were patrons of the casino and not the actual facility.
A string of armed robberies had plagued the area of Rivers Casino in Des Plaines and Park Ridge Mariano’s for two weeks now before police were able to apprehend suspects.
In that time frame, a group of individuals with guns approached victims in their vehicles to rob them. After speaking to the most recent victims, police obtained a license plate number, eventually leading to the arrest of individuals they believed were involved.
Armed Robbery Over the Weekend
Des Plaines police were called to the scene of an armed robbery at the casino around 10 pm on Sunday. The investigation discussion with the victims revealed four male suspects in a black and white Jeep Compass vehicle. The car was reportedly registered in Illinois.
The victim stated that the four men exited the vehicle and approached their car, opening both the driver’s and passenger side doors. A gun was brandished against the two victims, and the assailants demanded money. Cash and a cell phone were taken from the victims. The men left the scene around 9:48 pm.
A few minutes later, a call was made from Mariano’s that an armed robbery had occurred. This was the same Mariano’s that was involved in a similar robbery on March 10. The victims of the most recent robbery were walking from the grocery store when they were approached at gunpoint. The victims described the same black and white Jeep vehicle.
The victims’ wallets and cell phones were taken, just as they were in the Rivers Casino case.
After Park Ridge police spoke further with Mariano’s victims, they secured a possible license plate number. Looking into the information, police connected the number to Jeep Compass, which was the same one that had been seen at the Rivers Casino robbery just a few minutes prior.
Not long after that, the Jeep Compass was pulled over in Chicago by state police and the Chicago Police Department. The individuals inside were apprehended and taken for questioning. Police must now figure out if the suspects are the ones who completed the robberies and if they are also connected to the same incidents that took place in each location on March 10.
Staying Safe at the Casino
Last week we reported Seattle police were also asking casino patrons to be careful due to a rise in the number of criminals operating. So if you are visiting a casino, practicing safety measures when arriving and departing is always a good idea. Criminals know that casinos are ripe with cash and take advantage of it. Be aware of your surroundings. Most casinos have some type of security, so you can easily ask for an escort to your vehicle.
If you score a big win, secure the payment with a check. It will need to be cashed at your bank, but it helps you avoid carrying large amounts of cash on your person, which may make you more vulnerable to criminals.
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