Casino Crime News Roundup: Suspect Identified in Southland Casino Parking Lot Murder

Posted on: December 10, 2024, 11:00h. 

Last updated on: December 10, 2024, 11:31h.

Ed Silverstein Read More

Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

The man suspected of fatally shooting a victim last month outside of Arkansas’ Southland Casino has been identified by the West Memphis Police Department.

Travis Boyd, 34, is described as “armed and dangerous,” and remains on the loose, police said. He’s 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. He’s also known as Gregory Fields, police said.

Boyd is wanted on a warrant for first-degree murder, according to WMC-TV.

The shooting took place on November 8 and Boyd allegedly fled from the scene. The victim was Orlando Garza. Details on the shooting have yet to be released.

Two Robberies at Rivers Casino Lot

Suspected robbers are being sought after two holdups last weekend outside of Rivers Casino Des Plaines in Illinois. Both robberies took place early Saturday, according to Chicago TV station WMAQ.

In one incident, two masked men drove into the lot in a white Nissan Altima and approached a 32-year-old Itasca, Ill. resident. A gun was pulled out and it was pointed at the victim’s stomach, police said. The robbers stole his cell phone, driver’s license, and two credit cards.

Within minutes, the same bandits approached a second victim, a 57-year-old Skokie, Ill. resident, according to Chicago TV station WGN.

Both robbers pulled out firearms. One of the robbers ordered the victim to “give me all your stuff.”

The victim initially didn’t comply, but the robbers were able to steal his wallet and about $2,000.

Neither of the victims was injured. The robbers fled from the scene in their car.

Stolen Money Used for Gambling, Police Said

A former secretary/treasurer for Gregg Township, Pa. was charged last month for the theft of $532,747.67 using town credit cards.

Pamela Hackenburg, 55, of Millmont, Pa. was arrested on November 27 for theft, receiving stolen property, identity theft, and access device fraud, according to Spotlight PA.

Hackenburg allegedly used the money for sports gambling. In January 2023, and in each successive month, approximately $20K was charged on the town’s credit cards for DraftKings expenses.

Jim Smith, the town’s emergency management coordinator, became suspicious after receiving a town credit card statement and he notified First National Bank.

As the incidents were investigated, Hackenburg was placed on unpaid suspension in May. The town then hired accountants for an audit.

Hackenburg’s office was kept locked and was “a mess,” according to a police report.

There were piles of papers, old checks signed but not deposited, no filing system, and nothing was up to date,” according to Spotlight PA, citing police reports.

Hackenburg hid credit card balances in town expenditures, faked budget data, and reallocated money from a $500K road project loan, police said.

Hackenburg could be fired as early as this week, the news report added. If convicted, she could be sentenced to prison.