A Los Angeles County Deputy was accused of robbing a professional poker player of chips worth $500 from South East L.A.’s Commerce Casino. But luck was on his side as the L.A. District Attorney decided not to prosecute them.
The undisclosed player promptly reported the theft case and later withdrew his accusation, fearing that L.A.’s dreaded “deputy gangs” would retaliate. Deputy Braulio Robeldo from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department(LASD) has been on leave for a while.
The department told the Los Angeles Times that it maintains high ethical and performance standards among its members, who should be integral throughout. It investigates and holds accountable any individual who takes part in misconduct or breaks the public’s trust.
The Deputy Gangs
The poker chips theft occurred on January 2, 2020, at 3 a.m. as the player left the casino’s premises. It is among the largest land-based gaming sites in California and in the world.
Even so, the deputy later revealed to be Robledo, pulled the player shortly after ending their gaming session for having an expired vehicle registration. The deputy searched the player’s car after moving him behind his vehicle. However, he later set him free suddenly.
The player later discovered that the $500 poker chips he had put inside his bag were missing. He reported the theft to the East Los Angeles sheriff station, and the deputies denied participating in the chips theft.
Still, nearby cameras had security footage indicating that an SUV, which Robledo drove, stopped. Deputy gangs are renowned in Los Angeles, and their reputation influenced the player to drop his case.
He stated that “Los Banditos” are among the LASD’s gangs. Moreover, the department has been battling the gang menace for over four decades, and recent reports indicate that they are operating.
The Deputy’s Past
Robledo has been associated with several scandals in the past. For instance, two cases mentioned him as a Banditos member. The gang’s alleged members were reported to have assaulted a few young deputies at a party in 2018, during which two deputies became unconscious.
The deputy was reported to have promoted violence in several civil cases despite not directly taking part in the assault. Three women accused the deputy in 2019 of harassing them sexually, but they didn’t file charges.
Prosecutors stated that the officer had uncouth behavior. Nevertheless, the incident’s facts don’t conclude that he had violated the law. Still, the recent case prompted the LASD to give the deputy an administrative leave as it investigates him.
What Is the District Attorney Office’s Opinion?
The Attorney’s office sent a memo indicating that it is tricky to prove that the deputy stole the chips without a genuine witness. It added that the player’s narration has discrepancies, indicating that he probably left the gaming site with more chips than those he reported.
Besides, they might have lost $300 and inflated the figure to $500. The Los Angeles Times reported that many police officers in the ongoing investigation avoided discussing the deputy’s involvement in the incident.
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