Fort Myers casino arcade ejects 2 men thought to be grand theft suspects

Writer: Paul Dolan
Published: Updated:
Deputies are looking for two men who were ordered to leave a Fort Myers casino arcade Thursday night for resembling suspects in recent crimes at similar venues.
Two men who were ordered to leave a Fort Myers casino arcade Thursday night for resembling suspects in recent crimes at similar venues. Credit: Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers

Deputies are looking for two men who were ordered to leave a Fort Myers casino arcade Thursday night for resembling suspects in recent crimes at similar venues.

According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, two men were seen on camera entering the Lucky 7 Jackpot casino arcade, located at 2837 Cleveland Ave., at around 7:30 p.m. The two men asked the security guard if they had a specific type of gaming machine. The armed security guard recognized the men from recent news stories and ordered them to leave the property.

“They had some weapons on them,” SWFL Crimestoppers Trish Routte said. “They were asking some suspicious questions, so they were asked to leave the premises.”

The guard believed both men were concealing firearms and intended to rob the business. After review, LCSO says the two men appear to be the same ones who recently committed grand theft at The Vegas Experience.

The next day, Friday, July 8, Crimestoppers said the two went to the Vegas Experience in Iona. They spent three to four hours at one machine and walked out with a lot of cash.

“They know their way around these arcade casinos,” Routte said. “They know how machines are manipulated, they know how to get into them, kind of on the slide, so these guys know what they’re doing.”

Now it’s clear to investigators that the two scenes are connected. “In fact, one of the suspects is actually wearing the same exact pair of jeans that he wore in the Fort Myers incident and LCSO incident,” Routte said. “He managed to change shirts but didn’t bother to change his pants.”

The Vegas Experience grand theft happened one day after a string of armed robberies at other arcades in Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, and Fort Myers. Crimestoppers said those crimes are not connected to the grand theft. Crimestoppers said those crimes are not connected to the grand theft.

If you are able to identify either of the men, you can call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477.

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