A new podcast, The High Roller Heist, chronicles the misadventures of famous villain Tony Carleo. Kudos to the donkey and the hat.
Carleo committed robberies at Suncoast and Bellagio in 2010. He was labeled a “biker bandit” because he wore a motorcycle helmet, but I'm sure Carleo gave himself that name.
In an interesting twist, the casino robber is the son of George Assad, a former Las Vegas Municipal Court judge and current member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the organization that regulates (wait for it) casinos. This is probably the most Las Vegas thing we've ever written.
“High Roller Heist” has a whiff of glorifying the actions of a drug-addicted, gambling-addicted fool, but it does a good job of providing context without over-sensationalizing Carleo's misdeeds.
In the Bellagio robbery, Carleo stole $1.5 million in chips, mostly “cranberry” chips, worth $25,000 each, but only if he could cash them in.
A “biker robber” was caught trying to sell several $25,000 chips. To the undercover police officer. Police ultimately recovered $775,000 of the $1.5 million tip.
Casino chips are not money. Casino chips have no monetary value outside of the casino. Roulette chips cannot be exchanged for cash at the casino cage. We don't use the words “bonehead” or “asshat” lightly.
Carleo's clowning has been well documented, and his behavior at the time has been compared to an episode of “America's Stupidest Criminal.”
One of the major twists in the story is that after the brazen robbery at the Bellagio, Carleo is staying at a Strip resort as a guest (he checked in less than 24 hours after committing the crime) and is high. that you have taken advantage of all benefits associated with. roller.
It was fun while it lasted.
A judge sentenced Carleo to six to 16 years in prison for the Suncoast robbery. He was sentenced to three to 11 years in prison for the Bellagio robbery.
Carleo has been released from prison and is selling solar panels in Colorado, according to the podcast's producers. Carleo seems to have “almost” changed his ways, and after a series of very bad decisions, his participation on the podcast was cathartic for him as he tries to rebuild his life after the whack incident.
My favorite part of this podcast is my appearance in episode two. Let me just say this once again: I don't recommend skipping the rest of the podcast just to hear our part. A nod to the podcast for a great heartbreaking cry after explaining how casinos used to deal with thieves and cheaters. Now, take a listen.
Five of the eight episodes of The High Roller Heist are now available, so catch up in time for the finale.
