Senior Citizen Attempts Casino Heist

Norman, OK - A 70-year old man walks into a local casino and walks out with a flat screen TV and an OU blanket. The problem? He didn't win them at the craps table.

Casinos are popping up all over Oklahoma with the promise of quick cash and prizes for those with luck on their side. One Oklahoma City resident decided to forgo the whole gambling uncertainty and instead went for the sure thing.

According to police, Jerry Valdean Eaves, 70, walked into the Thunderbird Casino in Norman on February 20. Eaves apparently didn't like the odds at the blackjack table or slot machines and instead opted to help himself to a 32" flat screen television and a OU blanket.

Despite the fact that Thunderbird Casino probably has well over 100 security cameras and numerous security personnel, nobody noticed the 70-year-old Eaves lumbering out the door with his new found goodies. As a matter of fact, the items were not discovered missing for 5 days.

As luck would have it, while security was reviewing archived tapes clearly showing Mr. Eaves's handy work, staff realized Eaves was actually in the casino at that moment.

Eaves was arrested in the casino and booked into the Cleveland County jail.

Last Tuesday Eaves was formerly charged with felony grand larceny.

A quick records check shows that Eaves owns a nearly $200,000 home in Oklahoma City. You'd think he could spring for his own TV and OU memorabilia.

We here at the Sidebar Blog are convinced Eaves is simply a misunderstood OU fan who was desperate to get a lucky OU blanket and new big screen TV to what watch his sooners at the Big XII conference last week.

UPDATE: 3/15/07 - Last night KFOR News Channel 4 covered this story. While the Norman police department, nor Thunderbird Casino, would release a copy of the security tape, KFOR's own Ali Meyer was able to interview Eaves at his home.

Apparently Eaves had no idea felony charges had been filed and that a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Eaves denied stealing the TV or OU blanket (anyone notice the OU hat he was wearing in the interview). However, Eaves did state that he WOULD have stolen the items if he only could have found a door to exit the Casino without being seen! When told police claim the security video clearly shows him loading the items into his El Camino, Eaves had no comment other than to imply he was being set-up.