A casino security guard suspected of stealing $31,000 in cash from Artichoke Joe’s Casino in San Bruno, California, was released on recognizance after authorities arrested him while attempting to board a flight to the Philippines.
According to prosecutors, John Villareal worked briefly on Artichoke Joe’s security team before allegedly stealing the cash from a lockbox on July 5. Unfortunately for Villareal, San Bruno Police caught him while the accused was waiting to board a Philippine-bound flight at San Francisco International Airport.
During his arrest, authorities said Villareal was carrying nearly $10,000 in cash—the limit individuals can transport internationally without a customs declaration.
The theft of funds from a lockbox calls to mind poker pro Mike Gorodinsky, who may have been the victim of a similar incident. Last year, he claimed he had discovered his lockbox at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas empty when he said it should have contained anywhere from $45,000 to $100,000 in cash.
However, an internal Bellagio investigation could find no proof of wrongdoing in that case. As a result, Gorodinsky begrudgingly accepted his loss.
Suspect Allegedly Hid Cash in Casino Bathroom
As reported by The Standard, at nearly 9 p.m. on Friday, July 5, Villareal requested a key for a lockbox containing the $31,000, which he returned a short time later. When casino attendants realized the money in the box never reached the cashier, they reviewed security footage, saw Villareal’s theft on camera, and called the police.
Instead of bringing the cash to a cashier, video footage allegedly caught Villareal stashing the stolen money in a black duffle bag in the bathroom. He then tossed the lockbox in the trash before returning the key. Just over an hour later, police apprehended Villareal while in line at airport security.
According to the arrest report, Villareal gave $16,000 to a cousin, who is now a witness in the case. Of that money, the cousin reportedly spent $3000 on rent and bills, while Villareal spent $4000 of the remaining funds to repay personal debts. In total, approximately $7000 remains unrecovered.
Despite being incarcerated on suspicion of employee embezzlement, grand theft, and second-degree burglary, San Mateo District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said a judge released Villareal without bail on Monday.
That decision left Wagstaffe fuming.
Wagstaffe shared his ire with The San Francisco Standard:
Here’s a guy who said, ‘I just stole $31,000, I’ve still got $10,000 of it, and I’m going to the Philippines never to return. He’s charged with three felonies, and we [release] him? That wouldn’t have happened a few years ago and that’s the new modern world, and that’s what happened. So he’s out of custody on his own recognizance. No bail required.
Casino Previously Paid $5.3 Million Regulatory Penalty
Artichoke Joe’s did not immediately respond to Bonus’s request for comment on the alleged theft.
However, as noted by The Standard, the casino made the news in 2021 after agreeing to a $5.3 million penalty for regulatory violations. In that case, authorities said the casino misled gambling regulators and violated the Bank Secrecy Act, which aims to thwart money laundering.
Notably, the settlement is still the costliest penalty in the history of California gambling regulation.
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