Alleged Boonville casino robbers indicted by grand jury

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The two men accused of robbing the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville last month have each been indicted by a grand jury.

Benjamin Michael-Dass Charles, 21, of Columbia has been charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and tampering with evidence. He is being held at the Cooper County Jail on a $1.3 million bond. Charles waived his arraignment and pleaded not guilty on Monday. A case review is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, May 22.

Hollis Vanleer Jr., 20, of Normal, Illinois, is not in custody and is charged with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and first-degree assault. Law enforcement last month stated that he is to be considered “armed and dangerous.” A $1.3 million bond was set in his case.

Charles was an employee of the casino and allegedly told law enforcement that he helped set up the robbery “for about a month,” court documents in previous reporting say. The pair took about $1.28 million from the main bank drawer, court documents in previous reporting say.

Vanleer is accused of attacking a patron who tried to stop one of the men from getting away, court documents in previous reporting say.

The two got away in a Ford Taurus and abandoned the vehicle in Howard County before getting into another vehicle, previous reporting indicates. Charles was identified after a receipt was found in the first getaway vehicle.