Two men who allegedly stole $352,000 from the Grand River Casino in South Dakota are now facing charges, especially since more details emerge of the sophisticated scheme. In other news, a man held up a jackpot winner in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In a somewhat sophisticated scheme that has shocked the tribal gaming community, two men are now facing serious charges after allegedly stealing $352,000 from the Grand River Casino in Mobridge, South Dakota, early this year. The suspects, Roberto Orellana and Roberto Carlos Gonzales Miranda, have been indicted on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit theft from a gaming establishment on Indian Lands, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and the transport of stolen funds. These charges come after a detailed investigation revealed the extent of the alleged plot, which unfolded in February.

Elaborate scheme unveiled

According to details released by KELO, a TV station from South Dakota, the scheme began with a phone call to the casino's cashiers' cage manager. A woman initiated the call, followed by a man who identified himself as a 'collections contractor' for the USPS (United States Postal Service). The man asserted that the casino had a debt of $700,000 to the USPS and threatened that additional fines would accrue if the money was not settled immediately.

To add credibility to the fraudulent claim, a third suspect, posing as the supervisor of the manager, sent a text message to the manager. The message instructed the manager to "empty the vault and deposit the cash at a Bitcoin ATM in Aberdeen, South Dakota." Trusting the directive from the supposed supervisor, the casino worker proceeded to take $352,000 from the vault and left the premises.

The employee, following the instructions, drove to Aberdeen with the cash. Upon arrival, the individual was directed to meet two people in the parking lot of the gas station, where the money was handed over. The entire heist was executed with precision, leaving little initial trace of the culprits. The Grand River Casino, owned and run by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, was left significantly impacted by the theft, both financially and with its reputation within the community.

Legal consequences and continuing investigation

Miranda and Orellana's indictment marks a vital step in the legal process as authorities continue to piece together the details of the operation. The charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and theft from a gaming establishment on Indian Lands show the seriousness of the crime, particularly given the federal jurisdiction over tribal lands. The involvement of a third suspect, who has yet to be identified or apprehended, suggests that the investigation is ongoing and that further developments could emerge.

The case has drawn considerable attention, not only due to the substantial amount of money involved but also because of the methods used to deceive the casino employees. The use of impersonation and technological manipulation highlight the sophisticated nature of the crime.

Related incident: Tulsa casino winner robbed

In a separate but equally concerning incident, a man in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was robbed at gunpoint just hours after winning money at a local gaming property. The suspect, identified as Terry Brown, has been accused of armed robbery with a firearm following the crime that took place at a residence near Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and 44th Street.

According to reports from KTUL, a Tulsa TV station, Brown, who is a convicted felon, along with a second suspect who remains at large, targeted the victim shortly after his casino win. The two suspects were caught on a security camera during the robbery, in which they stole the victim's cash winnings, phone, and car keys.

The swift response from the Tulsa Police Department led to Brown's arrest after a TPD helicopter spotted a vehicle which matched the description of the getaway car. Brown was apprehended on North Quaker Avenue and booked for the crime. His case has since been transferred to local prosecutors.