Casino Crime Roundup: Harrah’s Indiana Pedestrian Killed by SUV

Posted on: January 16, 2024, 03:35h. 

Last updated on: January 17, 2024, 04:59h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

An elderly man died after a vehicle struck him Saturday night while he was walking in the parking lot of Harrah’s Hoosier Park Casino, located in Anderson, Indiana.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park Casino
Harrah’s Hoosier Park Casino, pictured above. A pedestrian was killed on the property on Saturday. (Image: Harrah’s)

Steven Rubenstein, 71, of Fishers, Ind., suffered serious injuries in the 7:30 p.m. collision, according to Indianapolis, Ind., TV station WXIN. He died a short time later while at an Indianapolis hospital.

Anderson Police Department officers continued to investigate the circumstances of the collision early this week. The department’s crash team is leading the inquiry. Officers also attempt to obtain statements from witnesses who may have seen the incident.

As of Tuesday, it’s unknown if the motorist, a 56-year-old female resident of Anderson, 43 miles northeast of Indianapolis, was charged or is cooperating with police. Authorities say the driver wasn’t injured after striking Rubenstein.

No information was provided about Rubenstein, and funeral arrangements haven’t been announced.

Motorcycle Theft

A St. Louis, Mo., man was charged on Sunday for allegedly swiping a motorcycle on Christmas Eve from Missouri’s River City Casino. Michael Saal, 39, was charged with stealing a motor vehicle, according to St. Louis TV station KMO.

The theft was reported to local police shortly before 5 p.m. on December 24 after the motorcycle owner arrived where he had parked the bike, only to discover it missing.

Police checked surveillance video from the property, which showed the suspect repeatedly taking photos of the vehicle. Just an hour later, a silver truck carrying two passengers was driven to a spot next to the motorcycle.

One suspect, wearing a black ski mask, placed tow straps onto the motorcycle. Then, the truck driver drove away with the motorcycle in tow.

Police were able to identify Saal as the driver of the truck. They also said he admitted to the crime, KMO reported. He was booked on Sunday and remained in custody early this week. His bail was set at $300K.

Missing Man Last Seen at Casino

Police are continuing to search for a missing man who was last seen at a Montana gaming property.

Roger Shelton of Williston, N.D., was spotted on January 5 at the Black Gold Casino in Roosevelt County. It’s located near the North Dakota-Montana border. He hasn’t been seen since.

Williams County Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Ward said police performed what was described as a “forensic analysis” on Shelton’s phone records, bank accounts, and vehicles, according to the Minot Daily News, a North Dakota news outlet. It’s unclear if the analysis revealed any information about his current whereabouts.

Shelton’s name was also entered into a national database listing missing persons.

It’s unclear if Shelton’s disappearance is suspicious or if police believe foul play may be involved.