A 37-year-old Willingboro man spent four hours stealing roulette chips at a Pennsylvania casino before security cameras caught him.
Francisco-Ribeiro Jr., 37, is now facing 129 criminal charges following allegations that he pilfered over 80 gaming chips valued at $5 apiece from multiple roulette stations at Parx Casino in Bensalem. Authorities report the theft occurred during four hours from late July 17 into the early morning hours of July 18.
Surveillance Reveals Extensive Theft Operation
The case was discovered after the surveillance staff in the casino witnessed Francisco-Ribeiro at around 2 a.m. on July 18 when he stole a $5 chip off a functioning roulette table. He gave back the chip, and the offended gamer refused to press charges, but security personnel decided to check previous footage of the night.
Their investigation revealed a far more extensive operation.
Surveillance recordings showed Francisco-Ribeiro taking about 30 chips off one table systematically in 10 minutes, and even up to 10 chips in less than 60 seconds.
Deceptive Tactics Impact Fellow Gamblers
Investigators allege Francisco-Ribeiro employed deceptive methods during his scheme. In one documented instance, he deliberately dropped a pilfered chip before gesturing toward a specific number on the betting layout, prompting an unsuspecting patron to place their wager in the precise location he had just emptied.
The theft activity directly impacted the outcomes for at least two patrons who would have otherwise collected winnings on their placed bets.
Many New Jersey residents drive to Pennsylvania casinos because they can’t gamble online at home. In neighboring New York, players can access offshore casino sites that offer real money slots and table games, but New Jersey hasn’t legalized online casinos yet.
The top sites in NY feature hundreds of games with instant payouts and welcome bonuses up to $5,000, making them attractive alternatives to the long drive to Pennsylvania. This leaves Garden State residents crossing state lines for casino action or waiting for potential legalization.
Small Dollar Amount, Big Legal Trouble
The total loss to Parx Casino was between $395 and $710. That might not sound like much, but officials say the repeated actions over one night make this serious.
Francisco-Ribeiro has been hit with 129 misdemeanor counts, encompassing charges of fraudulent theft and gaming manipulation. His initial court appearance is scheduled for next month.
Records show Francisco-Ribeiro was a regular visitor who knew the Parx Casino layout well. That familiarity likely helped him move between tables without drawing immediate attention from floor staff during the busy night shift.
Busy Casino Struggles With Small-Scale Crime
Parx Casino sits on Street Road in Bensalem and draws thousands of people every day. It’s one of Pennsylvania’s busiest gambling spots.
The case shows how hard it is for casinos to catch small thefts as they happen. These crimes can be tough to spot during busy nights, but pile up when security reviews the cameras later.
If convicted, Francisco-Ribeiro could face fines and jail time. Pennsylvania prosecutes casino crimes aggressively, even for smaller dollar amounts.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.