Casino Queen Robbery Suspects
Sep 08, 2019 East St. Louis Illinois venue Casino Queen was sued last month by a customer who allegedly suffered injuries while escaping over a wall after bandits shot up the venue during a hold-up two years. Gambling Commission agents reviewed surveillance video and provided the suspect’s photo to other local casinos and card rooms. The suspect was later identified by law enforcement as a 37-year-old man from Tacoma. 6, 2020, agents from the Puyallup Tribal Gaming Agency spotted the suspect at the Emerald Queen Casino in Fife. Two suspects wearing surgical masks made off with an estimated $250,000 from Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens in an armed robbery late Saturday night, according to a New York Post report.
Casino Queen is scheduled to reopen at 8 a.m. Monday after three disguised men armed with rifles robbed the East St. Louis casino early Sunday morning and shot a New Athens firefighter who was working as a security guard.
BND and KSDK write
The shooting happened about 2:50 a.m. Sunday, according to Illinois State Police. The suspects also robbed a cashier cage on the main casino floor. The men fired multiple shots, according to state police, and struck the guard, who was unarmed.
As of Sunday evening, police were still searching for the men.
The three suspects fled with an unknown amount of money and are still at large. On Monday, the Illinois State Police released three photos of the suspects.
Cahokia Fire Chief Stephen Robbins said he was walking out to the parking lot of the casino with his family when the shots fired inside. He said he worked with MedStar to help the victim.
Casino Queen Robbery Suspects Suspect
A spokesperson for the Casino Queen says their security team “is supplemented by armed, sworn officers of the Illinois Gaming Board.” They say the casino was evacuated during the incident, and will re-open when the investigation is complete.
A large police presence was surrounding the building when 5 On Your Side’s Rachel Menitoff arrived on the scene shortly after the incident. Officers from Madison County, Cahokia, Allerton, St. Clair County and the Illinois State Police were on the scene to help with the investigation.
Casino Queen Robbery Suspects Cast
Anyone with information should call Illinois State Police at 618-346-3990. Callers can remain anonymous.