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Bellagio Robbery Suspect Arrested at Casino

By Jason Beahm on February 07, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

After hearing the story of the Bellagio robbery, where a person stole $1.5 million in chips from the Bellagio in Las Vegas, we couldn't help but wonder about the plan of the thief. How did the Bellagio bandit intend to cash the chips? What was the master plan?

As it turns out, apparently Anthony Carleo didn't have much of a plan at all. After the security footage captured him on a motorcycle helmet pointing a gun around the Bellagio, he didn't even have the good sense to stay away. In fact, he was staying at the hotel at the time of the robbery and went on to spend several more weeks at the casino, losing money gambling, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. Carleo, who went bankrupt in 2009, is a former real estate broker. He is now facing charges of robbery, burglary and drug trafficking.

Making matters worse, Carleo, is the son of a Las Vegas judge, and allegedly attempted to sell some of his stolen chips to undercover officers. The Bellagio bandit also reportedly gave one of the chips to a Salvation Army bell-ringer.

His father was crestfallen: "It goes without saying that as a father, I am devastated and heartbroken to see my son arrested under these circumstances, as is the rest of his family," said Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge George Assad said in a statement, the Associated Press reports. "I can say that as a prosecutor and a judge, I have always felt people who break the law need to be held accountable," he added.

USA Today goes on to point out a number of brilliant gems regarding the Bellagio robbery, including a quote allegedly made by Carleo to a Bellagio dealer, just days before the heist. According to the dealer, Carleo told him the casino would be easy to rob. When the dealer said he was skeptical, Carleo said, "Oh no, it's not that hard. All you need is a black mask and a motorcycle, and I have a motorcycle."

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