Blog in a Box

As much as Hollywood would like to have us think that every casino heist is intricately planned, perfectly executed, and full of high-tech criminal mastery, the reality is a little different. Most casino robberies are relatively straight forward – brute force, threats, and stolen property. But every now and then one casino heist goes off that’s so bizarre, so incredibly complex, and so ridiculous that it’s difficult not to step back and wonder how they could have pulled it off.

We’ve searched far and wide to find the four weirdest casino heists. From computer speed sensors to ‘how’d he do that?’ simplicity, every bizarre heist you can think of is here.

1.    The Shoe-puter

In the late 1970s, two University of California Santa Cruz students took some of California’s largest casinos for a complete spin. Using an in-built shoe computer, the students developed a system that disrupted the spin of a roulette wheel. Through some bizarre inter-shoe connection, the two managed to generate a huge profit through endless roulette gaming.

These students deserve some credit — 1970s computers weren’t exactly compact!

Of course, there were a few issues that bought the plan down. While computers weren’t exactly advanced in the 1970s, they did pack a bit of a punch. Although the students’ system mostly went off without a hitch, the occasional electrical shock and burning shoe proved to be an issue.  I’m sure it won’t be long before someone develops some kind of technology to tap into online casino games. But let’s face it…they won’t get away with it!

2.    Brute Force Truck Robbery

While ultra-complex casino heists seem to get most of our attention, it’s nice to see something direct and simple actually have a (semi-)successful result once in a while. After a 1993 truck robbery, Heather Tallchief and Robert Solis fled the United States with over $2.5 million in cash. After fleeing through the Cayman Islands and other exotic locales, Solis deserted Tallchief, leaving her with just $1000 to evade the law.

Miraculously, Tallchief managed to survive until 2005, when she surrendered to law enforcement. 12 years on the run with only $1000 to your name is a commendable effort, although casino crime never really is.

3.    Repeat Offender

Donnell Johnson is no stranger to the old casino robbery. He robbed the same casino – Treasure Island – twice, once in 1997 and once in 2000. Problems? Oh yes. Donnell and his partner in crime, brother Reginald, remembered just who they’d held up in 1997. When they returned in 2000, they found themselves staring right at the same teller.

Of course, most would just go on with the robbery as planned, but this semi-competent robber duo certainly don’t think like normal men. Instead of simply holding up the cashier, Donnell and Reginald beat the cashier with their guns in some bizarre recognition ritual. Both were caught, and both were charged with the 1997 and 2000 crimes.

4.    Simplify and Focus

In 1992, cashier Bill Brennan walked out of the now-demolished Stardust casino in Las Vegas. Well, that’s what the security system observed. Bill wasn’t really just walking out, he was walking out with over $500,000 of cash and casino tokens in his backpack…and he didnt win that by playing the in house casino games.

This goes to show that as smart as casino security can be, it tends to fall for the most simple robbery schemes. You certainly wouldnt find these kind of issues with a quality online casino. As much as Oceans 11 looked good, casino shoplifting seems more profitable.