LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: A Las Vegas police officer is facing federal charges after he allegedly purloined $164,000 in three different casino heists. According to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, 35-year-old Caleb Rogers was arrested and charged in a criminal complaint on "one count of interference with commerce by robbery" and "one count of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence."
As per the complaint filed on February 27, 2022, Rogers entered a Las Vegas casino and “ran toward two employees in the sportsbook area and yelled: 'Get away from the money. I’ve got a gun. I will shoot you!’ ”
Who is Caleb Rogers?
Rogers is a seven-year police officer who has served with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police and is currently an active-duty patrol officer. He stole more than $85,000 in a couple of robberies at casinos away from the Las Vegas Strip between November 2021 and January 2022, HuffPost reported. Authorities added that he was caught when he made a desperate attempt to steal another $79,000 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in February last year.
What did the complaint state?
“Rogers fled when the employees triggered an alarm,” the complaint alleged. “As Rogers ran toward the parking garage, a casino security officer tackled him. Rogers drew a revolver and, with his finger on the trigger, threatened: ‘I’m going to shoot you!’ " "Security officers were able to disarm Rogers and restrain him until LVMPD officers arrived," the complaint continued. "The officers arrested Rogers and seized his firearm. Checking the revolver’s serial number, officers learned that it belonged to the LVMPD.”
According to the Las Vegas-Review Journal, an FBI agent alleged in a probable cause affidavit, "In each of the robberies, the modus operandi was essentially the same. Additionally, although Rogers appeared to wear somewhat different items of clothing during each robbery, the style of clothing was consistent across all three robberies. Rogers also wore black latex gloves during each of the three robberies.” Rogers “entered the casino wearing dark colored clothing, a full face mask and black latex gloves,” the FBI claimed as per the outlet.
What did Rogers' lawyer say?
Rogers' lawyer Richard Pocker said that the prosecutors have limited evidence which can link his client to two of the heists. He also claimed that the FBI and the detectives from the Las Vegas police department forced two witnesses, including Rogers' brother to blame him as the perpetrator to solve the case. “The chances you get caught and are identified is very high,” he said pointing out the number and quality of casino security cameras.
“A Metro detective asked Rogers whether there was anything that could have been done to prevent the robberies from happening,” the FBI agent said, per the Las Vegas-Review Journal. “Rogers responded ‘Nothing,' " the media outlet added.
