The Public Prosecution Service (OM) today demanded 4 years in prison against two suspects in the armed robbery at the casino in Bergen. Several people present received death threats that evening, and more than 35,000 euros were also stolen.
The public prosecutor believes that there is sufficient evidence against the two 19-year-olds from Amsterdam and Rotterdam. They would have played a major role in the robbery of the Flash Casino on the Prinsessenlaan. Both are charged with robbery with violence. The Amsterdammer is also suspected of illegal possession of weapons.
That evening, on January 3, 2023, an employee and two visitors to the casino get the fright of their lives. While the employee is smoking a cigarette outside during her break, she suddenly feels a gun pressed against her neck. “Click-click,” says the loaded firearm. While the Amsterdammer is holding her under fire, his Rotterdam accomplice threatens the woman with a ‘large carving knife’, the OM explains.
‘Don’t look or I’ll shoot you’
Two casino visitors also received death threats. “Face to the ground, don’t look or I’ll shoot you,” they say. One of them tries to flee, but then gets a knife pointed at her back. “Get back inside or you’ll get a bullet,” they said. The victim indicates that the knife almost ended up in her back.
Then the employee is forced to open the safe and collect all the money. The robbers do not know that she has secretly pressed an alarm button: the police can watch live immediately. With just over 35,000 euros, the robbers run outside, but are already surrounded by the police.
There are warning shots fired: “I see the officer running across the pedestrian crossing and drawing his weapon,” said a resident after the robbery. “A man ran out of the casino and then shots were fired. Then I just lay down on the floor.”
After a chase, the two 19-year-olds. One with the gun still in his hand, the other with a jacket pocket full of money, the full amount stolen. The knife is found near the casino. The two other suspects were later arrested.
‘Professional and Organized’
According to the Public Prosecution Service, it is a “professional and organized” armed robbery. “A plan has been made, a getaway car arranged with a set of different number plates and weapons have been taken.”
The robbery hit all victims well. “The impact is very large. The suspects acted purely for their own financial gain and wanted to get money quickly at the expense of others.”
If it is up to the Public Prosecution Service, the two will be given an unconditional prison sentence of four years. The two other suspects, according to the Public Prosecution Service the client and the driver, are still in custody. No date has yet been set for those two sessions. The court is expected to rule in two weeks.