A Connecticut jury found Edward L. Taylor, 33, of Bridgeport, Conn., guilty this month for an audacious robbery at the Mohegan Sun casino complex in 2022. The crime involved Taylor pulling out a knife and stealing $55,000 from a visitor. The dramatic event escalated when Taylor and an accomplice dragged the victim several yards with their car as he clung on, attempting to reclaim his stolen cash. The victim, who was approached by the robbers while pumping gas, sustained minor injuries during the incident. Taylor was convicted in New London Superior Court on charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, and first-degree larceny. The case was built on forensic evidence that linked Taylor’s DNA to the victim’s clothing. Sentencing has been scheduled for October 22 by Judge Shari A. Murphy, announced New London State’s Attorney Paul J. Narducci. Mohegan Sun casino is operated by the Mohegan Tribe and is located near New London.
In a separate incident in California, a man has been charged following the alleged kidnapping of an elderly woman from the Tachi Palace Casino Resort. The woman, last seen getting into her vehicle with the suspect at the casino, was reported missing on Monday. She was eventually located unharmed in Paso Robles, Calif., approximately 75 miles southwest of the casino. Authorities, using her cell phone signal, were able to track her down. The suspect, Dustin Lemaster, 33, was found nearby and arrested by Paso Robles Police. He faces charges of kidnapping, extortion, and elder abuse, and is currently held in Kings County Jail with bail set at $240,000. Reports suggest that Lemaster met the woman inside the casino, but details remain unclear about when their interaction turned into a kidnapping. Tachi Palace Casino Resort is managed by the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria and is situated in Lemoore, Calif.
