Alleged Rio robbers arrested

The gun-toting thief who walked into the Rio casino last week, grabbed gambling chips and threatened dealer and patrons with a hand gun before escaping is behind bars, thanks to quick work by the Las Vegas police.
The robber pitched up at the Rio in the early hours of the morning in a taxi, wearing a fake moustache, sunglasses and a mafia-style fedora. He managed to run off with $32 000-worth of chips, exiting the scene in a taxi.
The case attracted media interest because it presented a similar modus operandi to last December’s $1.5 million motorcycle-rider heist at the Bellagio, although police do not believe the two cases are connected.
The police have announced the arrest within hours of the robbery of taxi-driver Hiroyuki Yamaguchi (61), who is alleged to have been in on the plot, with full knowledge of the principal criminal’s plans.
His detention was soon followed by the arrest of Steven Gao (45), who is alleged to have grabbed the chips from a Pai Gow poker table, and intimidated patrons and a dealer with a hand gun when they tried to stop him.
Also taken into custody was Edward Land (41) who police say met with Gao at another casino after the robbery and received $18,000 in stolen chips.
Clark County police investigations are continuing into charges of robbery, burglary and conspiracy. Bail for each of the detained men has been set at $25,000.

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