A Kansas City man who was left stranded after his vehicle broke down allegedly damaged multiple temporary walls and barricades at Argosy Casino while entering and running amok inside the casino.
The intruder, who authorities say appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, triggered alarms when he crushed through sheetrock and entered onto the catwalk suspended above the gaming floor.
At about a quarter till 11 p.m. on Friday, April 24, an unknown man called the Riverside Police Department requesting assistance after his vehicle broke down. The call originated from inside Children’s Mercy located at 700 NW Argosy Parkway, adjacent to the casino, according to court documents.
When police arrived at the scene, they noticed a GMC Yukon registered to a James Chambers deserted at the intersection directly in front of Argosy Casino.
Meanwhile, Riverside officers heard an alarm going off at Children’s Mercy and headed over to investigate. It is there they met with a Children’s Mercy security guard who showed them video footage of a male “jerking on a magnetized security door” until it opened. The man was also seen making the 9-1-1 call and exiting the building.
About an hour after the first 9-1-1 call, police received a hang-up call from inside the Argosy Casino, which was closed to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
When officers responded to the casino, they heard alarms going off and observed damage to a “makeshift plywood wall between the west entry revolving doors at the casino,” court documents allege.
Police say upon further examination, the sheetrock wall had been broken and the turnstiles were severely damaged. Inside, officers searched the casino floor, the indoor restaurants and meeting spaces for the intruder. Officers spotted the shirtless and shoeless burglar walking on a narrow walkway above the gaming floor. He fled the area, but officers later heard clatter and movement in the ceiling.
Hours passed, prompting officers to use video surveillance. Eventually, officers spotted the burglar inside the casino’s Lucky Taco restaurant.
When officers attempted to apprehend the burglar, he allegedly broke through a glass door at the restaurant.
The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office has charged 30-year-old James Chambers of Kansas City with burglary in the second degree and property damage in the first degree. According to court documents, Chambers caused more than $210,000 in property damage.
Chambers has a long rap sheet that includes multiple burglary convictions and a charge of tampering with a motor vehicle.
Platte County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Eckold set his bond at $50,000. Upon any bond release, the judge set multiple special conditions including GPS monitoring, drug patch and no contact with Argosy Casino.