Police arrest 19 as retired general heads daring raid on casino

Santo Domingo.- A group of around 35 men headed by a retiredgeneral identified only as Fructuoso raided the Dream Casino on Thursday and hauledaway half a million dollars, according to the employees.

The money was in six suitcases guarded in as many vaultson the building’s 5th and 6th floors, located on LosPróceres Av, in the National District’s upscale sector of Arroyo Hondo.

Local media report that the daring assault occurred around8am with the attackers rushed into the place packing rifles and shotguns tocasino employees pointed and went straight toward the vaults which the retiredgeneral allegedly had keys to, because he had been the casino’s security chief justtwo months ago.

National District Police commander Romel Lopez said 19 men were arrested, twovehicles and six firearms were seized.

The casino’s lawyer Francisco Fernández said the assailantsrobbed wallets, cell phones and other valuables from all employees, on threatsof death.

Fernández said the assault stems from of a dispute betweentwo companies from Canada.

More than 50 police agents and judicial officials arrivedon the scene after receiving calls by startled witnesses.