Las Vegas police officer charged in multiple casino heists
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Thursday, March 10, 2022 | 5:33 p.m.
Caleb Rogers
A Metro Police officer accused of robbing three Las Vegas area casinos is facing new charges after making an initial appearance today in federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Caleb Rogers, 33, was charged with one count of interference with commerce by robbery and one count of brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, according to a release by the office of Christopher Chiou, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 24.
In addition to a an attempted robbery Feb. 27 at the Rio sports book in which attempted to steal $80,000, the federal complaint against Rogers also alleges he robbed a casino in the western part of Las Vegas in which he obtained about $74,000; and robbed a North Las Vegas casino on Jan. 6 for $11,500, according to the release.
According to an arrest report obtained by the Las Vegas Sun, Rogers grabbed a Rio employee by the shoulders with both hands and shoved her backwards, causing her to fall to the ground. He then began grabbing money from the cash drawer and placed it into a bag he had inside a jacket he was wearing.
While on the ground, the employee pulled a robbery alarm to alert security. Rogers noticed the employee pulling the alarm and jumped over the counter and began running away through the casino with approximately $78,632, police said.
Rio security was alerted and property security officers began chasing Rogers as he ran outside the west doors, according to the arrest report. One officer tackled Rogers in the driveway as he was running into the parking garage, prompting Rogers to reach into his waistband and pull out a silver revolver.
Rogers put his hand on the trigger of his gun and told the security officer “are you willing to be shot over this? I’m going to shoot you! Go ahead and shoot me now!” according to the arrest report.
But other officers pinned Rogers to the ground, allowing them to rip the gun from Rogers’ hand, police said. Security had taken Rogers into custody by the time Metro arrived.
Rogers was carrying a back with $78,898 in cash, which was released back to the Rio sports book, according to the arrest report.
In Las Vegas Justice Court, Rogers is facing charges of burglary while in possession of a firearm, robbery with the use of a deadly weapon, attempted robbery and assault, according to court records. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 16.
The statutory maximum penalty is 20 years in prison for the federal interference with commerce by robbery charge, and life imprisonment for brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, according to federal prosecutors.
The case was investigated by the FBI and Metro, according to the district attorney’s office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.
