Third suspect in Strip robbery will face a trial

Kim Smith

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2000 | 10:52 a.m.

The third suspect in the June robbery of the Bellagio has been bound over for trial.

Justice of the Peace Tony Abbatangelo ruled Wednesday there is enough probable cause to try Luis Suarez, 35, on 14 counts related to the June 3 robbery.

Abbatangelo heard from a number of witnesses during Suarez's preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Suarez faces five robbery counts and two attempted murder counts in addition to numerous burglary, stolen vehicle and firearms charges.

Suarez, along with Jose Vigoa, 40, and Oscar Cisneros-Sanchez, 23, are accused of stealing more than $160,000 in cash and casino chips from the Strip resort.

Two men, armed and wearing body armor, jumped over the casino cage counter in full view of security cameras and then fired shots at security guards as they made their escape.

Vigoa and Sanchez's preliminary hearing was held in July and Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis, too, found there was enough evidence to try them in connection with the heist.

The two men also face charges in connection with armored car robberies outside the MGM Grand, Desert Inn and Mandalay Bay and a holdup inside New York-New York over the past two years.

In addition, Vigoa and Sanchez are suspected in the March 3 Henderson armored car robbery that left guards Richard Sosa, 47, and Gary Dean Prestidge II, 23, dead.

When asked if Suarez is also suspected in the double-homicide, Chief Deputy District Attorney Frank Coumou said "no comment."

That case is expected to be taken to the grand jury in the near future.