Casino Crime Roundup: Tampa’s Hard Rock Casino Evacuated Two Times, Bomb Squad Responds

This week, two questionable devices were discovered just hours apart at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. The gaming facility in Florida was evacuated twice as a safety measure. 

The initial device was discovered before midnight on Sunday. The second device was found around midday on Monday. 

The initial device was detailed by the Seminole, Florida. Police Department described it as a “rudimentary hidden apparatus featuring fireworks elements.” It was seen in a bathroom. 

This resulted in a partial evacuation of the casino, as reported by Florida TV station WFLA. Authorities disabled the device. 

The casino reopened about three hours later, and guests were permitted to return. 

The second device was found in a different restroom. This also resulted in an evacuation, and following the deactivation of the device, guests were permitted to return to the property. 

Neither device caused any injuries. 

The Bomb Disposal Team of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office helped to deactivate and take away the devices from the premises. 

 

FBI Involved 

The local police requested the FBI's help to aid in the investigation. The officers also analyzed surveillance footage to assist in identifying the suspect. 

As of the beginning of this week, no arrests have been made. The gaming venue is presently accessible. 

The reason the suspect or suspects installed the devices in the restrooms is unclear. 

 

Des Plaines Rivers Casino Heist 

Four robbers snatched two necklaces from individuals outside Illinois' Rivers Casino Des Plaines early Monday. 

The masked thieves drew at least one firearm and pointed it at at least two of the victims. 

The victims were in the gaming venue and returned to a parked Jeep around 1:45 a.m. 

One of the four victims was a 38-year-old female from Palatine, Illinois. Another was her spouse, aged 40. 

As the woman neared her vehicle, she noticed an individual inside her Jeep Grand Cherokee. One more suspect was positioned outside the vehicle, while two others were inside a nearby Volvo. 

In the course of the incident, the perpetrators brandished a weapon and issued threats to two of the victims. No gunfire occurred. 

A silver necklace was ripped off the husband, and then the thieves took a necklace from a 28-year-old man from Vernon Hills, Ill. The fourth victim was not detailed. 

The thieves were last spotted fleeing the casino in the silver Volvo. They did not take the Jeep.