After supposedly striking it rich on one of the slot-like video lottery terminals (VLTs) at Jake's 58 Casino Hotel in Islandia, New York, a 71-year-old man was robbed outside the establishment.

A person was taken into custody by the Suffolk County Police Department in connection with an incident that happened at the Jake's 58 parking lot on Saturday, September 6.  Around 3:40 p.m., when witnesses reported an aggravated robbery, police arrived at the Long Island casino.

Police were informed that a young black man had robbed a 71-year-old after leaving the casino when they arrived on the scene.  According to witnesses, the man first reached into the victim's pockets before fleeing.

The attacker, later identified as Aaron Hayes, 24, of Port Jefferson Station, returned and knocked the elderly man to the ground after learning he had only taken about $30 in cash.  Hayes is said to have given up the battle and fled after two good Samaritans interfered.

Hayes was traced, identified, and taken into custody after the Suffolk County Police Department's Fourth Squad conducted an investigation.  Third-degree robbery is the charge against him. 

Charge at a Lower Level 

Hayes is scheduled to appear in Suffolk County District Court on Monday, September 15 at 9 a.m., according to New York State court records.  There is no defense lawyer on the list.

The lowest robbery charge in New York is a third-degree felony.  Robberies that do not involve the use of a dangerous weapon, an accomplice, or physical harm are classified as Class D felonies.  According to the victim's family, he was unharmed, CBS News said.

In New York, probation is the usual punishment for those convicted of third-degree robbery.  Repeat offenders and those with a prior felony conviction within the last ten years are typically the ones that receive prison sentences.

There are no prior records for Hayes in the unified court system of New York.

Officials of Jake’s 58, owned and operated by Suffolk Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. (Suffolk OTB), claimed patron safety is of utmost importance.

"The safety of our patrons is our highest priority at Jake’s 58. Our security team was pleased to assist the Suffolk County Police Department in making a very fast arrest in the case, and we will continue to fully cooperate with law enforcement as they further investigate the incident,” Suffolk OTB and Jake’s 58 President and CEO Phil Boyle said in a statement.

There are now roughly 1,000 gaming machines available at Jake's 58.  Soon, a lot more gaming positions will be included in that.

Jake's Growth 

The three downstate New York casino licenses, which include slot machines in Las Vegas, live-dealer table games, and retail sports betting, are not being pursued by Jake's 58.  Rather, the VLT company is undergoing a $210 million expansion that will result in 2,000 slot-like games.

A 3,500-square-foot events center, a 200-seat food court, a 17,500-square-foot VIP lounge, a new parking structure, sound barriers to pacify residential neighbors, and renovations of all 210 hotel guestrooms are also included in the project.

After the expansion is finished next year, Jake's will continue to be an adult-only establishment.