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Published Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 | 6:50 a.m.
Updated Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 | 10:23 a.m.
Map of The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
Metro Police are searching for an armed man who wore a fedora hat, a fake mustache and sunglasses into the Rio Las Vegas hotel-casino early this morning, stole about $32,000 in chips and left in a taxi.
Lt. Barbara Schmidt said the robbery happened at 4:40 a.m. when the man walked into the casino and took the chips from a gaming table.
Police spokesman Marcus Martin said a dealer slapped the man's hand away, then the man displayed a gun. No one was injured.
A casino source familiar with the facts of the investigation told The Associated Press the robber made off with about $21,000 in $1,000 chips. The rest of the chips stolen were worth $500, $100 and $25 each. The source requested anonymity because he was not authorized to publicly release details about the crime.
Martin said the man arrived at the casino via taxi, then left in a taxi in an unknown direction.
Authorities were working to recover surveillance video of the robbery.
The robbery follows a Wednesday court appearance for Anthony M. Carleo, who police say stole about $1.4 million in casino chips on Dec. 14, 2010, from the Bellagio hotel-casino and sped away on a motorcycle into the night.
Carleo was arrested Feb. 3 at the resort after he was allegedly making a transaction to sell the pink $25,000 chips to the undercover police officer.
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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