Las Vegas police arrest 2 in $650K casino cage robbery

PRIMM, Nev. (KLAS) — Two people face charges after police said a woman stole about $650,000 from a casino cage, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned.

On Thursday, July 18, a person called police about the theft from the Primm Valley Casino in Primm on the California-Nevada state line, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Tuesday.

Police later arrested John Salmen and his wife, Lydia Salmen, charging them with theft and burglary, records said.

Officers suspect Lydia Salmen got into the casino’s cage area through a small hole in the cage bars, documents said. She was in the area for about an hour, documents said.

An employee called police after they went into the cage area and noticed “drawers opened and coins in the floor,” documents said.

Police tracked the Salmens from their vehicle and from prior interactions with officers at the casino, documents said. Inside their home, officers said they located money bags and casino chips.

In all, detectives suspect the Salmens stole about $625,000 in cash and $27,000 in casino chips, documents said.

“We thank the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) for swiftly recovering all but $300 and arresting several people for the theft that occurred at the Primm Valley Casino Resort on July 18,” Brad Egnor, chief marketing officer for Affinity Interactive, said. “Due to the resort’s robust security protocols and collaboration with the LVMPD, the incident did not impact any guests or team members. We remain committed to the safety and security of team members and guests in continuing to deliver world-class experiences.”

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department serves most of Clark County, including Primm.

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