Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Casino Crimewatch: Shots Fired in Armed Robbery at Barona Casino

Authorities are searching for four gunmen wearing masks who staged a daring robbery at the Barona Casino early Wednesday and who also may be responsible for a nearby fire.

Deputies were called to the resort on Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside at 2:21 a.m. after reports that shots were fired, sheriff’s officials said.

When they arrived they found that a stand-alone glass display case just inside the front door of the business had been toppled over and smashed, sheriff’s Sgt. Tom Poulin said.

Casino General Manager Rick Salinas said the four men drove up to the business in a green Ford Explorer and parked right up against the front door.

When a valet walked up to the vehicle one of the men pointed a rifle at him and ordered him to lie on the ground, Salinas said. Three other employees inside were also ordered to the ground, he said. Surveillance video then shows that one of the thieves ran into the casino carrying a chain but was yanked back because the chain was too short. It appears the plan was to wrap the chain around the display and then drag it outside

Poulin said all four men were carrying weapons

Related: Pechanga Casino Crimewatch:  Carjacker a Tribal Member

No comments: