Two individuals have been apprehended by FBI agents for their alleged involvement in a violent armed robbery at an illicit gambling establishment in Flushing, Queens, last July. The incident, which resulted in one person sustaining gunshot wounds, has led to charges against Jamel Berry from Astoria and Zhong Wang, a Chinese national.

Robbery at Flushing Gambling Den Leaves Victim Injured

According to authorities, the robbery took place on the night of July 19, 2023, when Berry and his accomplices, including two individuals who are currently at large, stormed into the underground gambling den located on Avery Avenue. Prior to the robbery, Wang allegedly disabled the building’s power supply to aid in the execution of the crime, as reported by the Astoria Post.

Once inside, the perpetrators assaulted one individual with a metal pipe and brandished a firearm, coercing others to comply with their demands. The group then made off with approximately $3,000 in cash before firing a shot that struck an innocent bystander in the abdomen. The victim was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital for medical attention and has since survived the ordeal.

Investigators managed to retrieve surveillance footage capturing Berry, Wang, and their accomplices congregating at a nearby location before proceeding to the gambling den. The footage also captured the suspects fleeing the scene following the robbery.

Astoria Man and Chinese National Detained Pending Further Legal Proceedings

During a hearing at Brooklyn federal court, prosecutors argued that both Berry and Wang posed a significant flight risk if released. They emphasized Wang’s ties to China, pointing out the absence of an extradition treaty between the United States and China, which could complicate efforts to bring him to justice if he were to flee.

Consequently, Wang was ordered to be held in custody, while Berry was placed under home detention pending further legal proceedings. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against them, with negotiations for potential plea deals reportedly underway.

This is not the first encounter with law enforcement for Jamel Berry, as he was previously convicted in 2020 for attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

The incident sheds light on the prevalence of illegal gambling dens in neighborhoods like Flushing, which have historically been targeted by armed robbers seeking easy money. 

Despite efforts to crack down on such activities, the allure of illicit gambling continues to attract criminal elements, posing a challenge for law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining public safety.

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A man in Indiana was arrested earlier this week at a Shelbyville area casino on suspicion of a robbery of a gas station. The person suspected of the crime was identified with the initials M.C.S., a 34-year-old resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. A Fishers Police Department (FPD) statement reveals that the young man is held on charges of robbery and theft.

The incident dates back to Wednesday morning when officers from the FPD received a call about a robbery at the Circle K gas station on 9611 Allisonville Rd. The FPD statement reveals that the suspected robber entered the gas station and threatened the worker there at around 5:55 AM on Wednesday. The alleged robber claimed to have a gun in his possession and confirmed he was ready to use it unless the gas station employee gave him all of the money from the register.

The gas station employee complied with the robber’s demands and the robber left the venue with an undisclosed amount of money. During the incident, the worker at the gas station was not harmed and was able to call 911 while also catching a glimpse at the suspect’s vehicle.

Upon arrival, law enforcement reviewed video evidence which helped identify the suspect’s car. Using a system known as FLOCK/License Plate Reader (LPR), FPD officers were able to track the vehicle of the suspect to a casino within the Shelbyville area.

The Suspect Was Arrested

Law enforcement determined that the alleged robber was at the Horseshoe Casino in Shelbyville, in the same car that was used for the robbery. In a collaboration between the Indiana Gaming Commission as well as Shelbyville Police Department Indiana, the suspect was arrested. He was detained until FPD detectives arrived on the scene at the Horseshoe Casino.

“The accused was located at the Horseshoe Casino in Shelbyville in the same vehicle used at the scene of the robbery,“

reads a statement released by Fishers Police Department

Upon searching the suspect’s car, police uncovered money that matched the sum stolen during the Circle K gas station robbery. Additionally, law enforcement found clothing that matched the description of the robber. According to the FPD, the 34-year-old admitted to the crime after he was interviewed.

Under the current laws in Indiana, robberies are designated as a Level 5 felony, a crime that is punishable by up to six years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. On the other hand, armed robbery, a crime in which the perpetrator uses a deadly weapon, is subject to a penalty of up to 16 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Charges for theft in Indiana are a Class A misdemeanor, with penalties depending on factors such as the value of the stolen property, whether or not the person who committed the crime has other convictions and other conditions.

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This is precisely what is happening in the case of two robbers who were arrested in Oxon Hill earlier this week in connection with the robbery at MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino. Officials at Prince George’s County Police Department have confirmed the arrest and that the two individuals were in custody.

Chips Stolen, Culprits Found

The “heist” itself really isn’t as glamorous or derring-do as it might suggest. In fact, the culprits pocketed an undisclosed amount of casino chips from a table, but it was not a small operation either. Seven people had assisted in the robbery, with two now in custody and the identity of the rest a matter of time to crack, the police assured.

The robbery did see an altercation between the culprits and security staff, the latter of whom got minor injuries in the ensuing fight which allowed the suspects to escape the venue. The recent arrests may tie into other similar cases involving casino chip thefts, although the police did not provide information on whether those cases are related.

Inside Job and Casino Crime

The case of the chip thieves is not the only one of note to take a look at this week. A Rivers casino manager in Pittsburgh is said to have stolen $20,000 from the cashiers’ cage, Penn Live and several other media outlets reported.

The person, Yancy Yeater, 41, of Canonsburg works as a player services manager at the casino and is said to have been caught in the act on surveillance footage earlier this month. The cage is where all the money is handled by the public, and players come to buy chips or cash in their winnings. The theft was first established by the casino’s security staff before being referred to the police.

Bodies Found at Golden Acorn Casino

Two people who disappeared were found dead at the Golden Acorn Casino in a car. The news was confirmed by San Diego police which found the bodies of Melissa and Johnny Soto with both their disappearances and death remain a mystery although a murder-suicide version is being worked on.

The vehicle was found by the US Customs and Border Patrol. Investigation found out that the people had disappeared under mysterious circumstances and those are still being thrashed out by the authorities. The couple was, however, living separately and there was supposedly a domestic violence incident before their disappearance.

It’s said that the man died from a self-inflicted gun wound whereas the woman’s cause of death is being established.

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A man, suspected of a robbery and murder of a casino employee in Sacramento, California, was recently convicted. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office revealed Tuesday that the defendant, identified with the initials D.C., was found guilty of first-degree murder and robbery, related to a crime at Capitol Casino dating back to last year.

The defendant was convicted by a jury on Tuesday with the “allegation of personal use of a firearm causing death and the special circumstance of murder during the commission of robbery found true,” prosecutors revealed. Moreover, the 38-year-old was convicted of second-degree robbery with the allegation of personal use of a firearm, the intentional discharge of a firearm along with “aggravating factors.”

It’s important to note that the conviction isn’t the same as a sentence. A verdict by a jury or a judge can result in conviction whereas a sentence is usually ordered by a judge. In other words, the conviction means that a person was found guilty of a crime or has agreed to plead guilty to a crime after a trial.

Considering the defendant’s conviction, he may face a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. According to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office, the sentencing of the defendant is scheduled for January 12, 2024, before the Honorable Allen Sumner.

Attempted Robbery Results in the Death of a Casino Security Guard

The latest conviction against D.C. comes after a crime that occurred on August 22, 2022. At the time, the person tried to rob the Capitol Casino. Upon entering, the culprit was caught by a casino guard on duty with the initials S.B. Once the security guard caught the perpetrator, he walked him out of the casino property while holding him at a taser point.

Once the two were outside of the casino, D.C. drew up a firearm and ran back inside the venue. The robber made his way to one of the casino cash cages and pointed his gun at another casino employee. At that time, the security guard was able to catch up to the criminal and tried to tase him.

The reaction of the robber was instant as he shot the guard in the neck. The wound was fatal and resulted in the death of the casino security guard. The robber then took some $38,000 from the casino cash cage and left the venue.

An employee of the casino chased the culprit and saw him try to hide in a car parked nearby. Once law enforcement arrived, the criminal shot in the direction of the casino employee and tried to run away from the police on foot. Shortly after, he was arrested.

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