Casino robbery suspect in Biloxi jail

Karen Zekan

Thursday, June 26, 1997 | 11:48 a.m.

A 24-year-old man jailed in Mississippi on charges of holding up a Biloxi casino is Metro Police's prime suspect in the April heists of New York-New York and Treasure Island casino cages.

Donnell Johnson is named in the paperwork Metro's robbery detail will be submitting to the district attorney's office for review. Metro is accusing Johnson of the two robberies and an attempted robbery at the Tropicana hotel-casino foiled by security guards.

Police are banking on similarities between the local holdups and the recent robbery at the Treasure Bay Resort in Biloxi for which Johnson is now in custody.

"There are always a lot of people around, disguises are used, the robberies are done in a takeover style, and the cages are always targeted," said Metro robbery Lt. Larry Spinosa. Police also believe their suspect has acted alone.

Metro alerted law enforcement agencies nationwide in the spring to be on the lookout for a possible suspect who might be on the run, Spinosa said.

Biloxi authorities remembered the teletype and contacted Metro after making the Treasure Bay arrest, thinking Johnson might be their man. Specific details of the Biloxi incident were not available.

Johnson had a BB pistol with him when he was arrested in Biloxi, similar in appearance to the handgun witnesses said he was carrying during the Strip robberies.

Metro detectives reviewed the evidence and have interviewed Johnson in Biloxi, Spinosa said.

Spinosa declined to comment specifically on what proof they have that Johnson was in Las Vegas in April, but did say he is known to visit Las Vegas several times a year and typically gambles upon arrival. Spinosa also said the Tennessee native has a girlfriend in this area.

"It seems to be his forte," Spinosa said. "Some people rob banks, some people rob grocery stores, he hits casinos."

Johnson also is wanted for several robberies in Memphis, Tenn.