By Ron VandenBoom
A gunman wearing a dark ski mask and dark clothing robbed Lucky Lil's Casino at 629 W. First St shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday.
At a news conference this morning, Capt. Mike Barthel, said the suspect entered the casino with what possibly was a .25 caliber automatic pistol and held up the 57-year-old clerk for an undisclosed amount of money. He then fled on foot.
Two officers responded to the scene and spoke to the clerk and secured the video of the robbery.
Shortly before 7 a.m., while officers were looking for money that had been dropped outside the casino when the robber fled, noticed a man with a flashlight they suspected was also looking for money, Barthel said.
Officers apprehended 27-year-old Havre man and took him to the Police Station for questioning. He is currently being held in the Hill County Detention Center for probation violation while the investigation continues.
Barthel said that so far officers have interviewed 10 people, searched one residence, and searched one vehicle in connection with the investigation.
The weapon used in the robbery has yet to be recovered.
Barthel did say that a burglary of Dave's Greenhouse that was reported about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday morning might be connected to the crime, but refused to say more at this time.
Barthel said the burglary at Dave's Greenhouse is thought to have occurred sometime during the same evening or early morning as the robbery.
Barthel emphasized that he believes this robbery was an isolated incident and does not believe it represents any new threat to the general public.
The investigation is expected to last several more days, Barthel said.
