ATF joins highway patrol, local law enforcement in Boonville casino armed robbery investigation

BOONVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the investigation of Wednesday's armed robbery at the Isle of Capri Boonville casino as of Thursday morning.

Lt. Eric Brown of the Missouri State Highway Patrol told ABC 17 News that the ATF joined in on the investigation. Law enforcement are asking for help from anyone that may have been at the casino on Wednesday morning or shortly after the robbery on what they saw.

According to a press release from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, two suspects armed with a rifle and a handgun stole an unknown amount of money before taking off in an older Ford Taurus.

Law enforcement believes the suspects abandoned the car on Howard County Road 344, north of the casino across the Missouri River, and got into another vehicle that hasn't been identified. The suspects are still at large.

Spokesperson for the corporate company Caesar's, Kate Whiteley, said the staff at Isle of Capri Boonville is cooperating with law enforcement and deferred any specific questions about the robbery to MSHP.

"The safety and security of our guests and Team Members is our highest priority, and we are deeply grateful to MSHP and Boonville Police for their swift response and continued support," Whiteley said in an email. "We won’t have further comment at this time."

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control is investigating the armed robbery along with ATF, the Boonville Police Department, the Cooper County Sheriff's Office and the FBI.

Check back for updates.