Casino bandits abandon $40,000 loot

AN early morning shootout between bandits and police, moments after the criminals took $40,000 from patrons at a San Fernando casino, ended with the bandits dropping their loot and beating a hasty retreat on Saturday. According to police reports, at around 1 am, four masked men stormed Monte Carlo Casino on Princes Margaret Street, San Fernando and announced a hold-up. The bandits immediately disarmed a security guard and ordered the patrons to lie on the floor.

They then robbed the cashier as well as most of the patrons. The bandits left the casino with a bag containing over $40,000. However, E-999 Rapid Response police had been alerted and intercepted the bandits before they could escape. Police sources told Newsday a shootout ensued between the officers and the bandits who sought refuge behind the casino’s ten-foot concrete walls. The bandits eventually panicked, dropped the bag with the loot and escaped on foot. The stolen money was recovered by officers. While not being able to say if any of the bandits was hurt in the crossfire, police told Newsday, no police or civilian was injured in the shootout. When Newsday contacted owner of the casino William Whitling, he declined to speak about the incident. San Fernando CID detectives are investigating.