New Jersey Man Faces Charges for Stealing Roulette Chips at Parx Casino
Incident Overview
A man from New Jersey is facing numerous charges after Pennsylvania State Police reported that he stole multiple roulette chips during a visit to Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.
Details of the Theft
Authorities say Joseph Francisco-Ribeiro Jr., 37, of Willingboro, was caught on surveillance cameras taking over 80 five-dollar chips from various roulette tables over several hours spanning the night of July 17 and early morning of July 18. The thefts were gradual, with the suspect removing one or two chips at a time after other players placed theirs.
Casino Security Intervention
The casino’s security team noticed Francisco-Ribeiro around 2 a.m. on July 18 when they saw him take a $5 chip from a busy roulette table. Although he returned the chip and the affected player chose not to press charges, security reviewed earlier footage and uncovered a more extensive pattern of theft throughout the night.
Impact on Other Players and Casino
The footage revealed that Francisco-Ribeiro took approximately 30 chips from a single table within 10 minutes, occasionally removing up to 10 chips in under a minute. On one occasion, after dropping a stolen chip, he pointed to a number on the table, prompting another player to place a chip on the same spot. Police stated that his actions interfered with at least two players’ winnings, costing one between $350 and $575 and another between $175 and $350.
Legal Charges and Court Proceedings
The State Police Gaming Enforcement Bureau estimates that the total financial loss to the casino is between $395 and $710. Despite the relatively modest amount, authorities emphasize that the crime involved a deliberate and repeated scheme over several hours.
Francisco-Ribeiro now faces 129 misdemeanor counts, including theft by trickery and tampering to cheat. He is scheduled to appear for an initial court hearing next month before District Judge Christopher E. O’Neill.
About Parx Casino and Fraud Challenges
Parx Casino, located on Street Road in Bensalem, is among Pennsylvania‘s most frequented gambling venues, attracting thousands daily. This case underscores the ongoing challenges casinos encounter in detecting and preventing small-scale yet persistent cheating attempts. Such actions may be difficult to notice in real-time but accumulate when reviewed through video surveillance.
Possible Consequences
If found guilty, Francisco-Ribeiro could face fines and potential jail time, depending on the court’s judgment of the charges.
