While gamblers on a losing streak may feel like they’ve been robbed at the slots (notoriously known as “one-armed bandits”), casinos are typically among the most secure locations in the world. Nonetheless, despite the army of cameras, the sure-eyed dealers and the omnipresent pit bosses and other security personnel, some criminals have actually been brazen – or crazy – enough to attempt to steal from modern Las Vegas casinos. While films like Oceans 11 have made it seem as though robbing a casino could be a sexy adventure, the reality behind these sorts of crimes is that they typically don’t end well for their perpetrators. In honor of one of our newest slot games, the stellar Cops N’ Bandits, Titan Casino is proud to present a list of some of the most memorable casino heists ever to hit the City of Sin. Unfortunately for the star-chasers among you, George Clooney and Brad Pitt did not make the list.
Like A Thief In The Night
Late last year, Las Vegas police apprehended 31-year-old Akingide Cole, a Southern California man accused of stealing more than $1.6 million in casino chips from the Venetian Resort. Details of how the burglary took place are scarce, but police insisted that Cole used no weapons and was never confronted by on-site security or casino staff.
Though he managed to get away with his crime, for a short while at least, Cole failed to think things through as redeeming the high-denomination chips would be near impossible without admission or implication of guilt. Furthermore, most major casinos have a unique second set of chips that are placed into rotation after a theft, making it more obvious when someone plays with or tries to cash in stolen chips (from the first set).
Motorcycle Mayhem
In December 2010, Anthony Carleo, a man dubbed the “Biker Bandit”, rode a sleek sports bike up to the front door of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. Dressed in a leather jacket, gloves and a motorcycle helmet, the rider walked to the craps table nearest the door and pulled a gun on the dealer. Making off with a wide variety of chip denominations, Carleo was eventually busted trying to sell $25,000 to players on an online poker website, going so far as to sign emails exchanged with the individuals he approached as “the Biker Bandit”.
Carleo, the son of a former Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge, confessed to his crimes when he was apprehended, and was sentenced to between 9 and 27 years in prison, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
Felonious Footware
One of the most unique casino scams of all time came from a pair of college students from the University of California Santa Cruz in the 1970s with an eye for technology and a penchant for shoes. The duo created a unique computerized sneaker that would allow one player to both read and affect the outcome of roulette wheels. A second player would receive the information via computerized signals in a second set of high-tech shoes.
Though the pair managed to swindle large sums of Online Casino money from several casinos throughout the years, enjoying a 144 percent return on their bets, the heist wasn’t exactly what one could call “easy” money. Working with the technology of the day, the criminals signaled one another via painful electric shocks to the foot, some of which were allegedly strong enough to singe the wearer’s socks. Perhaps this was what tipped off casino staff, as the crew was eventually caught red-handed and sore-footed.
Without a Trace
Though most stories involving a casino robbery don’t fare too well for the criminals behind the crime, there have been a few successes over the years. One of the most successful casino heists was among the most simple. Bill Brennan was a cashier working for the Stardust Resort in 1992, when he one day disappeared with more than $500,000 in cash and chips in a backpack slung over his shoulder. As an employee of the Stardust, security personnel didn’t think twice when Brennan walked by them, got into his car, and headed home. By the time casino officials figured out what had happened, Brennan was gone. Despite his presence on the FBI’s Most Wanted list and a segment on America’s Most Wanted, he remains at large to this day.
Safe in the Arms of a Titan
Of course, there is little concern about a heist when it comes to an online casino, such as Titan Casino where your funds are safe and secure. If all our talk about the criminal folklore surrounding the casino industry has got you thirsting for some cash, then use your Titan Casino bonus code to play the new Cops N’ Bandits slots and try to make off with some of our loot.
