Police charge man in connection to multiple casino robberies
We have charged a man in relation to several casino robberies, with the most recent incident occurring last week in the northeast.
On Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, at approximately 11:55 p.m., police were called to the ACE Casino located at 40 Crescent N.E., for reports of an unknown man who entered the casino, claiming he was armed with a gun and demanding cash.
The man fled the area in a vehicle with an undisclosed amount of cash. No injuries were reported.
HAWCS was engaged and was able to quickly locate the suspect vehicle parked outside of the Deerfoot City Mall, where the suspect appeared to have changed his clothing before leaving the parking lot. Officers then witnessed the man driving to the Huntington Hills area, where patrol and Canine Unit members eventually conducted a traffic stop in the 500 block of McKnight Blvd. N.E., and apprehended the suspect at approximately 12:35 a.m.
It is believed the same suspect is also responsible for a robbery at the Cash Casino located at 4040 Blackfoot Trail S.E., in September 2022, and for a robbery at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino located at 11500 35 Street S.E., last month.
As a result, Richard James BUCKMIRE, 62, has been charged with five counts of robbery with a restricted or prohibited firearm and three counts of wearing a disguise with intent.
BUCKMIRE will next appear in court on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.
“This was a call that required the effort and support of multiple resources throughout the Service, and had the potential to endanger the public,” says Staff Sergeant Rod Harbidge of the Calgary Police Service Robbery Unit. “Thanks to the quick and collaborative response of our patrol members, HAWCS, Canine Unit, Robbery Unit, District 5, District 1 General Investigative Unit officers and other members, we were able to successfully and safely apprehend the suspect and return the stolen money to the casino.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234 or call 9-1-1 for a crime in progress. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
CA23045265/4751/3492/3869