Seattle police warn casino visitors they may be targeted

The Seattle Police Department is warning casino visitors they may be targeted after officers have responded to several armed robberies involving people leaving casinos.

“It is something that we want the community to be aware of and we want our public safety concerns to be addressed, and we want to do what we can to assure that,” SPD Public Information Officer Judinna Gulpan said.

In Oct. 2022, Renton police said an 81-year-old woman might have been followed home after leaving the Muckleshoot Casino and was beaten and robbed of more than $1,000.

According to Renton police, just two weeks before that attack, a 59-year-old woman was attacked at her home after she left the Macau Casino in Tukwila.

The Seattle Police Department has provided the following tips to help bring awareness and hopefully prevent others from becoming victims:

  1. Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t walk with your phone in your hand and your head down. Secure your phone and other belongings to eliminate distractions.

  2. Pay attention and stay alert. If you notice something suspicious, get to a safe location and call 911. Non-emergency calls can be made to 206-625-5011, or online reporting is available here.

  3. Provide as much information as you can, including details of suspicious people and their vehicles. Anything can assist police in their investigation.

“Try to secure your cell phone. Don’t be walking out with it in your hand, with your head down, try to eliminate those distractions,” Gulpan said.