A man suspected of attempting to rob $130,000 of casino winnings from an elderly Illinois couple in February 2024 was recently arrested and charged over the incident, according to police reports released this week.
Michael Britton, 27, of Chicago, was arrested on August 28. He has been charged with armed robbery, aggravated robbery, and robbery of a victim over 60.
Police suspect Britton was one of two men who followed the elderly couple home from Rivers Casino Des Plaines (pictured) in order to rob them of their lucky night’s gambling winnings.
Despite the couple being held up at gunpoint, the thieves grabbed the wrong bag and ended up not with $130,000 in cash, but the leftovers from a surf and turf dinner.
Two other suspects are currently at large and are sought by police.
The Incident
The elderly couple visited Rivers Casino Des Plaines, northeast of Chicago near O’Hare International Airport, on February 9.
That night, and into the morning of February 10, the two went on a winning streak at the casino and picked up $130,000 for their troubles. While gambling, they were approached several times by an unknown woman who acted friendly towards them. The interactions were all caught on casino surveillance cameras.
Police say they also saw who they believe to be Britton and the second suspect, Aramie Kent, at the casino. Surveillance footage showed them talking to the female that approached the victims. Police believe she was an accomplice in the crime that followed.
The elderly couple, both in their 70s, drove approximately 38 miles south to Fox Lake at around 6 a.m.
When they arrived and got out of their car, the two suspects quickly jumped out of their own vehicle and accosted the victims. One suspect pointed a gun at the male victim, and then grabbed a paper bag from the female victim’s hands and made off.
Fortunately for the victims, the wife had put the $130k cash winnings into her walker as she headed for her front door. The bag that was stolen contained only leftovers from a steak and lobster dinner the couple had eaten at the Rivers casino.
“I guess, in their own way, they outsmarted the bad guys,” said Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak, according to local media.
The Consequences
Britton was arrested on August 28 after police pieced together surveillance footage and tracked his vehicle. Kent remains at large, as does their suspected female accomplice.
Britton is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on October 3. He is charged with armed robbery, aggravated robbery, and robbery of a person over 60.
In Illinois, aggravated and armed robbery are both Class X felonies, with the exact level based on individual case circumstances. However, armed robbery with a firearm carries a minimum sentence of six years in prison, and potentially up to 45 years.
This case is far from the only recent example of jubilant casino winners being unknowingly followed home and then robbed. In August, a man from Florida was shot in the leg in front of his girlfriend when thieves stole $3,000 in slot winnings. The couple was followed home from a winning night at the Hard Rock Casino Tampa.
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
