The trial is scheduled to commence on Monday for a Las Vegas police officer accused of orchestrating a series of casino heists, allegedly stealing approximately $165,000.

Prosecutors will portray the officer, Caleb Rogers, 35, as a gambling addict who became increasingly desperate due to overwhelming debts.

According to prosecutors, Rogers is accused of carrying out three robberies over a four-month period while armed with a weapon issued by the police department, the Associated Press has reported.

Richard Pocker, Rogers’ attorney, argues that the government’s evidence linking his client to two of the robberies is weak.

Pocker further alleges that the FBI and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department detectives pressured two individuals, including Rogers’ brother, to identify him as the suspect in order to close the cases.

Investigators and prosecutors state that Rogers managed to steal over $85,000 during the first two robberies, which occurred between November 2021 and January 2022 at casinos near the Las Vegas Strip.

Meanwhile, his fellow police colleagues spent months attempting to apprehend the perpetrator.

In February 2022, Rogers targeted the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, intending to secure an additional $79,000. However, security guards apprehended him outside the casino following a brief struggle, preventing his escape.

At the time of the robberies, Rogers was an active-duty patrol officer and a seven-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Although he remains employed, he is currently on unpaid leave without police powers, pending the outcome of the criminal case, as confirmed by a department spokesperson.

Written by staff