Casino Robbers Run Amok In Rapid City

Rapid City would seem to be on the radar of criminals these days, after last Saturday saw a fourth casino robbed in the space of a single week in South Dakota’s second largest city.
 
On Sunday, November 14th, Joker’s Casino became the first business to succumb to the robbing spree, followed by separate Happy Jacks casinos on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The spate of robberies have left police baffled with Rapid City Chief of Police Steve Allender stating:
“It’s our No. 1 investigative priority. The fact that there were four in one week is troubling. It’s disturbing that they’re continuing to make these robbery attempts. Everybody in the community wants to know why this is happening.”
At this moment in time it is not known whether the incidences were related, but in each case the suspects were described as a being between 5 foot 5 and 5 feet 10 inches in height and weighing around 160 pounds.
However, in the first robbery the suspect  brandished a knife, in the second robbery two men carried knives, in the third robbery the suspect carried a sword, and although no weapons were used in the fourth robbery a clerk was assaulted by the criminal.
The latest robbery would point to an escalation in violence by the robbers, and has now got casino staff in fear of their safety. Commenting on the matter, Michelle Terkildsen, a cashier at Queen of Hearts Casino said:
“It’s a little scary. I’m kind of dreading the nights I have to work.”
In the meantime, security measures have been stepped up at casinos throughout Rapid City, in conjunction with less money now being kept on the premises.
Also a $10,000 reward has been offered for any information leading to an arrest, but  Chief of Police Steve Allender warned against anyone trying to take matters into their own hands.
“These are thugs that need to be stopped. That’s all that matters today. We need citizens to keep their eyes open, to stay calm and not be a hero. We don’t need anyone hurt trying to apprehend these guys. We’re working around the clock to take calls and act on the leads.”
Anyone with any information on the robbery spree in Rapid City can call the police on 394-4134 or 394-4131.