Just days after an armed robbery at the Isle of Capri casino in Boonville, police have charged two suspects in connection to the heist.
A 21-year-old employee of the casino, Benjamin Charles, of Columbia, was arrested Friday on charges of first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution, according to court documents.
Still at large is 20-year-old Hollis Vanleer, of Normal, Illinois. He’s been charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and first-degree assault. Vanleer is described as a black male, 6 feet 1 inches tall, and approximately 280 pounds. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is asking anyone who encounters him to immediately call 911 and not approach him, and that he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The suspects got away with $1,276,000, dollars in the robbery.
Upon exiting the main bank inside the casino, one of the suspects dropped their pistol, which was later recovered by Missouri Gaming Commission officers.
A patron, seeing one of the suspects carrying a rifle, tackled the man and got into a brief fight, before the second suspect approached and struck the person in the face and head numerous times, which allowed both suspects to flee.
Police tracked a 1998 Gold Tauras north of town, where they also found seven homemade explosive devices.
Charles is being held in the Cooper County Jail on a $1,300,000 bond.