Accused of armed robbery, kidnapping
(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) – The man accused of armed robbery at Hollywood Casino was formally charged on Tuesday.
39-year-old Daniel Birdseye, of Cincinnati, is accused of Kidnapping, Robbery Armed with a Deadly Weapon, Criminal Confinement, intimidation, and Battery on Public Safety Officials.
Prosecutors say Birdseye had been gambling at the casino earlier in the day before leaving.
He returned and allegedly covered his face and began following an employee to the bank area of the casino.
Birdseye pulled out a gun and cornered the employee, prosecutors said.
“Once Birdseye obtained the money from the employee, he then jumped through the teller window gaining entrance into the bank area. A female employee saw Birdseye and she was attempting to shut the door, when he kicked the door open, causing a cut to the employee's arm.” Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens said.
He then allegedly confined the employee, demanded money and proceeded to the cashiers in another section and grabbing money.
Deddens says he then approached a male employee with the handgun and told him, "you are gonna be my hostage and get me out of this building."
The employee followed his orders and led him out of the casino.
Birdseye then went to the Oxbow Nature Conservancy area where he was eventually apprehended.
Police say Birdseye admitted to the robbery and said he did it because he was desperate and in debt. He also admitted that the handgun police recovered was the one used in the robbery, police said.
Birdseye became combative with corrections officers once he was at the jail, the prosecutor added.
The majority of the money taken from the casino was recovered.
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