(NewsReady.com) – Millions of people travel to Nevada every year to try their luck at the state’s casinos. Two people in one city allegedly decided to try to obtain money illegally. Now they are facing charges.
On July 1, law enforcement officers arrested Lydia and John Salmen near the state line. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police accused Lydia of going to the Primm Valley Resort & Casino and jumping over the counter of the casino cage. There was no attendant in the vicinity, so she was allegedly able to take money and leave.
Police claim Lydia was captured on surveillance video heading toward an outlet mall. According to officers, they learned the woman and a man were involved in a disturbance at the casino in June. She approached a cop during that incident. He was wearing a body camera and captured the possible license plate number of their car.
Officers determined the vehicle was registered to the Salmens. They compared photos of the couple’s driver’s licenses and confirmed they matched the video footage. Law enforcement arrested them and searched their Las Vegas home. They reportedly discovered a bag full of casino chips belonging to the Primm Valley Casino. Police also uncovered a duffle bag of cash, two money bags, and a yellow sweatshirt with an orange and green picture on the front that matched the one the woman was wearing in the surveillance video.
In total, law enforcement officers found $27,000 in casino chips and $625,000 in cash in their home. Police reportedly took DNA evidence from the couple as well.
The police also noted they might have found a motive for the crime. There was a notepad in the home that stated their health insurance wouldn’t pay for medication or a bill that was more than $12,000. Lydia, 70, and John, 63, are facing charges of theft over $100,000 and attempted burglary of a business.
Copyright 2024, NewsReady.com