Erik Gutierrez, a 23-year-old man, has been charged with stealing over one million dollars from a casino and hotel located in Downtown Las Vegas. The alleged scam involved Gutierrez posing as the owner of the Circa Hotel & Casino and convincing the owner to hand over $117,000. He claimed that the funds were necessary for fire protection procedures.

According to court documents cited by 8 News Now, an unidentified person called the Casino Cage, pretending to be the hotel owner. The individual demanded $320,000, stating that it needed to be paid immediately to the fire department. A hotel security department employee reported this suspicious activity to the police.

Who is Erik Gutierrez?

Limited information is available publicly regarding Gutierrez, other than his age and the fact that he disguised himself as the hotel owner to carry out the theft from Circa Hotel and Casino. There are reports suggesting that Gutierrez had faced similar charges in the past and had a bail amount of $20,000 set by the Mesquite Justice Court.

During the investigation, the police also questioned the supervisor who had been in contact with Gutierrez, claiming to be the proprietor over the phone. The hotel employee stated that Gutierrez mentioned the need for a fire extinguisher check and requested payment for additional safety devices. The employee agreed to make payments totaling $314,000, $355,000, and $500,000 at different off-site locations.

Reports indicate that Gutierrez used a vehicle in the commission of the crime. Upon locating the vehicle, the police discovered that it was registered under the name of Gutierrez’s aunt. Further investigation led the police to search the residence where Gutierrez lived with his aunt. They found a large bundle of U.S. currency labeled with the word “Circa.” Gutierrez was subsequently apprehended at a gym on June 18.

While the police have recovered $850,000, they are still searching for the whereabouts of the remaining $314,000. The judge, Amy Ferreira, set Gutierrez’s bail at $25,000 and ordered him to stay away from Circa and the Fremont Street Experience if he is granted bail. Derek Stevens, the CEO of Circa, issued a statement expressing cooperation with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and refrained from further commenting on the ongoing investigation.