Mohegan Sun robbers found guilty

Posted on: August 14, 2024, 10:46 am.

Last updated on: August 14, 2024, 10:46 am.

This month, a man was found guilty by a Connecticut jury of brandishing a knife and stealing $55,000 from a visitor to the Mohegan Sun casino complex in 2022.

Edward L. Taylor, 33, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, was convicted following a criminal trial in New London Superior Court.

Victim dragged by car

Taylor and a second man dragged the victim several feet while he clung to their vehicle in an attempt to retrieve the stolen money. The victim had just filled up his car with gas when the robbers approached him. He sustained minor injuries when he was dragged by the vehicle.

The charges are first degree robbery, second degree robbery and first degree theft.

Forensics personnel found Taylor's DNA on the victim's clothing.

They were located at the Mobil gas station at the tribal playground in Uncasville, Connecticut.

The victim was not identified in news reports.

Taylor will be sentenced by Judge Shari A. Murphy on Oct. 22, according to New London District Attorney Paul J. Narducci. Taylor could receive prison time.

No immediate information on what happened to the second suspect.

The Mohegan Sun Casino is operated by the Mohegan Tribe. The casino is located near New London.

Casino visitor kidnapped in California

Earlier this week, a man was charged after allegedly arresting a woman from California's Tachi Palace Casino Resort.

She was last seen getting into her vehicle with a man at the California tribal gaming grounds, authorities said.

The elderly lady was reported missing on Monday.

The Kings County Sheriff's Office was alerted.

According to California television station KFSN, she was later tracked down in Paso Robles, California, by officials who were tracking her cell phone signal. The area is about 75 miles southwest of the casino.

She was unharmed and was found in a car.

Dustin Lemaster, 33, was nearby and was later arrested by Paso Robles police on charges of kidnapping, extortion and elder abuse.

Lemaster was taken to the Kings County Jail and his bail was set at $240,000.

If convicted, he could face a prison sentence.

According to Yourcentralvalley.com, a regional news site, the two met at the casino.

It is unclear when their meeting turned into a kidnapping or why the suspect allegedly arrested her.

The Tachi Palace Casino Resort is operated by the Santa Rosa Indian Community of the Santa Rosa Rancheria.

The casino is located in Lemoore, California, about 172 miles southeast of San Jose.