Poker Player Assaulted and Forced to Hand Over Chips and Checks Worth $128,000

By Scott Bowen,
Editor at online-gambling.com

Scott Bowen Editor at online-gambling.com

Scott Bowen is a casino expert and editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He is one of the most valuable members of our team at online-gambling.com. Bowen specializes in writing on a variety of subjects, including roulette, blackjack, video poker, sports betting, and more.

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Last updated: June 17, 2023

After reportedly following a poker player from a casino in Dania Beach to the victim’s apartment complex in Miami on Tuesday, a Florida citizen was accused. Alejandro Eugenio Arguello, a 35-year-old from Plantation, allegedly assaulted the guy and demanded that he hand up gaming chips worth $50,000 and four checks totaling $78,000. This is according to Miami-Dade police.

Authorities believe a second person was involved in the crime since Arguello quickly departed the area with a bag holding the stolen chips and checks. Fortunately, the event did not result in any significant injuries for the victim, who was referred to as “Dan” in court. As soon as the crime occurred, he immediately called the Miami-Dade police to report it and to let them know that he had been at The Casino at Dania Beach earlier that evening.

Alejandro Arguello Arrested for Armed Robbery and Other Offenses

Officers discovered a suspect who had been watching the victim after analyzing the casino’s CCTV footage. Arguello was also seen in the casino and the apartment complex on the day of the incident, according to mobile phone records. Arguello voluntarily turned himself in to the Miami-Dade police on Tuesday after being informed that an arrest warrant had been filed for him.

Unknown defense counsel said that there wasn’t enough proof to show that Arguello was either the driver or a passenger in the purported getaway car at the bail hearing in Miami-Dade criminal court. The defense attorney argued that the simple fact of being present at the site of the crime did not automatically establish involvement and that the allegation of armed robbery lacked merit.

Accused Not Granted Bail, Remains in Detention as Investigation Continues

Arguello was not granted bail, as shown in the jail records, and was instead ordered to be kept without bond by Miami-Dade Court Judge Mindy S. Glazer. He was still being held at the Miami Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Center.

The suspect started following the victim as he was playing high-stakes poker at the casino, according to the arrest report. Arguello followed the poker player as he exited the building and made his way to his parked Land Rover. After that, the suspect borrowed a Ford Escape and followed the victim for about 20 miles to his apartment building on Northeast Miami Gardens Drive.

When the victim arrived at the apartment building, Arguello is said to have followed closely behind as the victim got out of his SUV and entered an elevator. The attack and subsequent robbery both took place inside the elevator.

Alejandro Eugenio Arguello is accused of being an accessory after the fact as well as armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, aggravated violence with a dangerous weapon, and other offenses. The robbery’s victim, identified only as “Dan,” was able to alert the police, who were then able to identify and apprehend Arguello. In the absence of additional judicial action, Arguello is still being held in detention after the defense’s plea for bail was refused.