Police in Las Vegas are searching for a suspect that carried out a $1.6 million casino heist. Police believe 31-year old Akingide Cole is the man behind the theft that took place at the Venetian resort and casino earlier this month.
After reviewing surveillance video, police have idenintified a suspect who is believed to have stolen $1.6 million in chips. Akingide Cole of Palmdale, Calif. is a wanted man for suspicion of burglary, grand larceny, and unlawful possession of burglary tools, according to MSNBC.
Police believe that Cole is the man who snuck into a closed area of the casino on the morning on Oct. 10. He got away with valuable casino chips in the heist. He didn't use a weapon and was not confronted by anyone.
The police are asking people to keep a lookout for Cole. He is a light-skinned black man who is believed to be six feet tall and weighs about 225 pounds. He was last seen with a goatee and a short, dark semi-mohawk. He also has a growth on his left earlobe.
For a photo of Akingide, check out ABC.
Although the suspect was able to get away with $1.6 million in chips, he likely won't be able to cash them in for their full worth. Ron Reese, spokesman for The Venetian's parent company, Las Vegas Sands told ABC that the most he would get is $10,000 for the smaller valued chips.
"In any of these thefts of chips, it's very difficult to cash these in," Nevada Gaming Control Board Chief of Enforcement Jerry Markling told the Associated Press. "Licensees generally know who their customers are."
If you have any information about Cole, call the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Tourist Crimes Unit at (702) 828-3204 or Crime Stoppers of Nevada at (702) 385-5555.
This isn't the only Las Vegas casino heist that has occurred in recent months. In May, two men with wigs attempted to rob the Bellagio. They pepper-sprayed the blackjack dealer and stole $115,000 worth of chips, according to MSNBC. One of the men carrying $5,000 worth of chips was caugh by a casino supervisor, while the one with the bigger loot got away.
The captured thief, Michael Quinn Belton received a sentence of two to five years in prison for the attempted heist.
Anthony Michael Carleo was also part of a heist at the Bellagio. Using a gun, he was able to steal $1.5 million worth of chips but was later arrested when he tried to cash in a $25,000 chip. He's now facing three to 11 years in prison, according to MSNBC.
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