What a Steal!

Cops everywhere were having a good laugh this week when NAME from PLACE put in a call to 911. His reason? He claimed the slot machine at which he was playing actually stole his money.

I'll wait a second while you digest that.

Yes, he actually picked up the phone, dialed 911, and said that the machine stole his money. And then, according to the police report, he went outside to the parking lot to call again and repeat his claim.

Now I hope you can tell from my past articles that I have a good sense of humor. But certainly this gentleman takes the cake. While it is absolutely appropriate to say that slot machines might figuratively steal somebody's money, it's usually a statement said in jest, since players usually know what kind of financial predicament they are getting themselves into by playing slots and a brick and mortar casino. Everybody knows that the house always has the better odds, especially during these hard times.

But to actually expect to be taken seriously by the authorities when you waste a phone call and an emergency response operator's time by asking for assistance in a theft by a slot machine? Unacceptable.

 The 47 year old was playing at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino when he got the bright idea to abuse the system. At almost 50 years old, the man has absolutely no excuse. Maybe a whippersnapper 21 year old might be able to get away with that level of stupidity, having only recently gotten his ability to play slots. But after 26 years of casino-approved years, jokes like that are simply ridiculous.

Mr. Gutierrez definitely deserves what he got. He was promptly arrested and he is currently being held without bail.

Although, I do wonder what the transcript from the 911 call included. Maybe the operator needed a good laugh that day too.

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