Police in Elko say two men have been arrested and an investigation is continuing after a storefront gambling parlor robbery two weeks ago in which patrons and employees were disabled with a noxious substance with what might have been bear spray. Elko police Lt. Mike Palhegyi said the robbers “used a chemical agent, possibly bear mace, to disable the employees and patrons, and got away with an undisclosed amount of money.”
They fled the casino in a vehicle, and a few minutes later police and firefighters were called to Dotta Drive on a report of a car fire. The robbers are believed to have set fire to the vehicle to conceal evidence, possibly fleeing from there in another vehicle.
The vehicle was destroyed by the fire.
Tony Pressler, 36-year-old, of Spring Creek was arrested early Thursday at Stockmen’s Casino in Elko. He was booked into Elko County Jail at 1:52 a.m. on charges of robbery, burglary, grand larceny, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to commit third-degree arson. His bail was listed at $145,000.
On Wednesday, an Elko man who was picked up on a probation violation shortly after the crimes was charged with similar offenses. James B. Squires, 33, was booked on robbery, burglary, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, and two counts of conspiracy to commit criminal contempt.
Police said Squires is believed to be the taller of two people shown in surveillance video of the robbery. His bail was listed at $120,000. The two men also face arson charges stemming from a car fire in a residential area shortly after the early March 2 robbery at the Dotty’s Casino off Mountain City Highway.
Elko Police Lt. Mike Palhegyi said more suspects are being investigated in a joint effort including the Elko County Sheriff’s Office, Nevada Gaming Control and the Elko Combined Narcotics unit.
