Three suspects are in custody following a brazen weekend holdup at Maryland’s MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino.
The young bandits, armed with a fire extinguisher, unleashed chaos on the gaming floor at around 2:45 p.m. Saturday. They sprayed the area before seizing gaming chips and attempting to flee the premises. In the aftermath, police apprehended two 16-year-olds and an 18-year-old male, as confirmed by the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD). All three suspects are being charged as adults and, if convicted, could face incarceration in adult prison.
Local reports have not identified any of the suspects yet. Additional participants in the robbery remain at large, with authorities still working to capture and identify them. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident. The exact value of the stolen chips remains unclear, as does whether the chips were recovered by law enforcement or casino security.
The incident has stirred strong reactions from casino visitors who traveled from other states. “I think it’s just shocking and it’s shameful where our society is going with kids. [They] think they can do whatever they want and feel no accountability and it seems to be getting worse,” commented Steve Shafer of Alabama. Laura Yates of Texas echoed similar sentiments, stating, “It’s disappointing and shocking. I can’t believe they were so brave to walk in there and do something like that with no regard for anyone’s safety.”
In response to the robbery, the PGPD has announced a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the additional suspects.
This incident follows a similar theft in December when MGM National Harbor’s gaming floor was targeted by seven suspects who stole chips from a gaming table. During that heist, two suspects were apprehended while five others eluded capture. The scuffle resulted in minor injuries to some of the casino security guards, according to Washington DC TV station WTTG.
