Casino Crime Roundup: Cops Kill Armed Man on Casino Garage Parking Ramp

Posted on: January 11, 2024, 02:48h. 

Last updated on: January 12, 2024, 11:51h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

A man was fatally shot by local police this week after he rammed two patrol cars with his truck at Sioux City, Iowa’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino parking garage.

The suspect initially rammed his white truck head-on into one patrol car parked in the garage early Monday. He then drove toward an exit.

The lone subject in the truck continued to exit the parking garage and was met with other responding officers. He drove directly at a second Sioux City patrol vehicle, ramming it head-on,” according to a statement released by police.

The motorist, later identified as Salvador Perez-Garcia, 55, of Sioux City, then got out of his truck and approached the officers while swinging a chain with a piece of metal attached.

He was swinging it in what police described as an “aggressive, threatening manner,” according to the Sioux City Journal.

Officers initially attempted to deescalate the confrontation. But the suspect failed to comply, police said. He was then shot by officers.

Officers provided first aid to the wounded suspect before he died at the crime scene.

Police didn’t release a motive for the suspect’s actions. The incident is under investigation.

Colorado Casino Raid Leads to $39K

Police raided an illegal casino in Colorado Springs, Colo. last week, seizing three pistols, a shotgun, and $39K in cash, according to Colorado TV station KOAA.

In a related court-ordered search, authorities seized 32 slot machines and 11 gambling devices from a second nearby location.

There has been no word if anyone has been arrested as a result of the searches.

Rapid City Casino Robbed

South Dakota’s 777 Casino was robbed last Friday. A solitary bandit entered the Rapid City gaming property, brandished a knife, and demanded money from a worker.

The unnamed employee turned over an unspecified amount of cash before the robber fled, according to South Dakota’s TV station KNBN.

The suspect was about 6′ tall and is believed to be Native American. He was wearing a black sweatshirt and a bandana was covering his face at the time of the robbery.

Slot Machine Voucher Stolen

A South Dakota man was arrested last month for the theft of a slot machine voucher at Iowa’s Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort.

Braden Michael Maurer, 41, was charged on December 19 with fourth-degree theft. The incident took place on Sept. 1, 2022.

Maurer stole the voucher worth $414.29 and cashed it at a kiosk in the casino, according to Iowa news outlet NwestIowa.com.

On June 27, 2022, Maurer also allegedly stole another ticket valued at $174 at the casino.

Fraudulent Checks Cashed

A woman allegedly cashed three fraudulent checks last month at Nevada’s Silver Strike Casino.

The checks were presented on December 18, 19, and 20 at the Silver Springs gaming property, according to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.

The same woman tried to cash a fraudulent check at Carson Plains Casino in Dayton Nev. on Dec. 23, 2023. That attempt failed.