Bet on cameras capturing bandit

But it could take hundreds of hours to cross-check the casino videos during his trial runs, according to a casino executive familiar with surveillance operations.

Police believe the man who got away with $20,000 in cash at the Suncoast cashier cage Dec. 9 is the same person who robbed a high-stakes Bellagio gaming table about 4 a.m. Dec. 14 for a reported $1.5 million in chips.

In each case he walked in wearing motorcycle gear and a helmet that covered his face. He used a black sport motorcycle for his getaways.

It was a high-risk act for what could be a far smaller jackpot than he planned, experts say.

Chips of $5,000 denomination and above require verification, but someone "could cash in $100 to $4,000 chips real easy," the casino source said. Many of the Bellagio chips were for $25,000. "He can forget it. He could just as well throw away the $5,000 and $25,000 chips."

The robber took a higher risk at Bellagio, where the gaming tables are deep inside the casino. That’s by design. Some casinos have learned the hard way.

Making it more difficult for investigators is the likelihood that the Bellagio robber wouldn’t be on camera very long. He only needed a few seconds to assess what tables had higher inventory.

The source said the Bellagio robbery probably was committed by an amateur rather than being an inside job, because gaming table employees would know how difficult it is to cash in chips.

"Get that message out," the source said. "You’re not going to get very far stealing chips. Walk in with a $5,000 chip, and you’re going to get grilled for hours."

Another question is how the Bellagio bandit, with his face fully concealed, spent that long in the casino without being confronted by security.

"We would absolutely intervene," the source said. "And if a security guy wasn’t at his post he would be fired."

HERRERA RUMORS

The eyebrow-arching saga continues for ex-Clark County Commissioner Dario Herrera.

He isn’t commenting on rumors that he got married earlier this month to Chelli Wolford, ex-wife of former state Assemblyman David Goldwater, after a whirlwind romance. The wedding came three months after Herrera’s girlfriend, local publicist Stephanie Wilson, had his child.

Four years ago, the one-time golden boy of Nevada Democrats was sentenced to 50 months in prison and ordered to pay more than $76,000 in fines and restitution after his conviction in a bribery case. He was a county commissioner when charged with receiving cash and sexual favors from strip club owner Michael Galardi.

Herrera was serving his sentence in the Florence Federal Correctional Center in Colorado when his wife, Emily, divorced him in October 2008.

Herrera and Wilson wouldn’t comment Saturday.

Herrera has been working at Nevada Institute of Professional Careers, a vocational school, but he reportedly recently lost that position.

Wolford lives in San Francisco, according to sources. If Herrera has been traveling there, he would require permission from his parole officer.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Discussions related to the return of the IndyCar Series to Las Vegas late next year include prospects of landing two races in 2012 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It’s been more than a decade since they raced here.

SIGHTINGS

Rita Rudner, who is ending her four-year run at Harrah’s on Jan. 1, dining Friday night at Rao’s (Caesars Palace). She begins a six-month open-ended deal that begins Jan. 12 in The Venetian’s 720-seat showroom. … Earl Watson of the Utah Jazz, dining Friday at N9NE Steakhouse (Palms).

THE PUNCH LINE

"With all this water, suddenly the name L.A. Lakers makes sense." — Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.