Alleged Boonville casino robber pleads guilty in Illinois case

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man who is accused of stealing $1.28 million from the Isle of Capri Casino earlier this year has pleaded guilty in a separate case in Illinois.

Hollis Vanleer Jr., 20, of Bloomington, Illinois, pleaded guilty on Thursday in McLean County to stealing a vehicle. He was sentenced to three years in prison. He was given credit for time served.

Vanleer is charged in Cooper County with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and first-degree assault in the March 25 armed robbery of the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville. Benjamin Charles, 21, is charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence. He is being held at the Cooper County Jail.

The pair, who were carrying guns when they entered the casino, allegedly took about $1.28 million from the main money drawer and that a patron had tackled one of the men, previous reporting from court documents shows. Vanleer hit the patron before the pair got away in a Ford Taurus, court documents in previous reporting say.

The Ford was later abandoned in Howard County. Law enforcement found a receipt in the vehicle and were able to determine a card used in the purchase belonged to Charles, who was also determined to be an employee at the casino, the statement says.

Vanleer was on the run until he was detained on June 24 in Bloomington, Illinois.

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