FBI offers $5,000 reward for information on alleged Boonville casino robber

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The FBI is offering up a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of a man who is accused of robbing the Isle of Capri Casino in March.

Two men were charged in the robbery, with the first being Benjamin Charles, 21, of Columbia. He is 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. A hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Hollis Vanleer Jr., 20, is charged in the case with first-degree robbery, armed criminal action and first-degree assault. Authorities have been searching for him since the robbery took place on March 25.

A press release from the FBI says Vanleer may have ties to Chicago and Normal, Illinois. He is 6-feet-1-inch tall and weighs between 180-230 pounds and has a tattoo on his left hand, according to the FBI wanted poster. A $1.3 million bond was set in his case.

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.