Two Charged in $1.2 Million Armed Robbery at Isle of Capri Casino in Missouri

^{The Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, Missouri, was the site of an armed robbery last week involving two suspects, who fled at the time. (Photo: Caesars Entertainment)}

Two men have been charged in connection with the March 25 robbery of the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville, Missouri. Police say one of the suspects has been arrested, but the other remains at large.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announced that 21-year-old Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles was arrested and charged Friday with first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, tampering with physical evidence, and armed criminal action.

Armed Duo Had Guns, Explosive Devices

Investigators say that two masked individuals entered the casino at around 2:13 pm on March 25. The men were dressed in black and were armed with a rifle and a handgun. The pair proceeded directly to the bank area of the casino, seizing approximately $1,276,000 before attempting to leave. 

One casino patron attempted to stop the duo from escaping by tackling the man with the rifle. During the struggle, the other suspect struck the casino customer multiple times, allowing the suspects to flee. One suspect dropped a pistol in the process, which was recovered by Missouri Gaming Commission officers. 

The suspects fled in a gold 1998 Ford Taurus, which was later abandoned, according to a Highway Patrol statement. Investigators found seven homemade explosive devices in the car.

The next day, state troopers visited the casino to speak with Charles, who is an employee at the Isle of Capri. After an interview with investigators, police took Charles into custody and transported him to Cooper County Jail. 

According to investigators, Charles told them that the robbery had been planned for about a month and provided law enforcement with details about what happened after the robbery and where the evidence was located. He also identified the second suspect in the robbery and said that the explosive devices were used as diversionary tactics. 

Second Suspect Remains at Large

Authorities have identified the second suspect as 20-year-old Hollis C. Vanleer Jr. from Normal, Illinois. His whereabouts are unknown, and police have cautioned the public that he is to be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information should contact law enforcement. 

Hollis C. Vanleer Jr. (left) remains at large, while Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles (right) is in custody at Cooper County Jail. (Photo: Missouri State Highway Patrol)

Vanleer faces charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, and armed criminal action. Charles remains in Cooper County Jail on a $1.3 million bond. 

While this robbery was notable for its brazen nature, other American casinos have also been hit by thieves in recent years – if not always in the same manner. 

In 2024, a married couple was arrested for allegedly stealing more than $650,000 from the Primm Valley Resort in Nevada, after a woman jumped over the cashier counter and entered a restricted area to steal cash and chips. 

In recent years, multiple casinos across the United States have fallen victim to social engineering scams in which employees were tricked into believing they needed to transfer money to others on behalf of their superiors. In 2023, an employee of Michigan’s Four Winds Casino handed over $700,000 to a man after a caller claimed they were the tribal chairperson and that the funds were needed for an urgent payment.