SCHENECTADY – A baccarat dealer at Rivers Casino in Schenectady and a player from Halfmoon have been arrested for allegedly working together to steal an estimated $20,000 from the casino, authorities said.

Joseph Hage, 47, of Grooms Road, Halfmoon, and Sarkis Boutros, 34, of Northern Drive, Troy, were each arrested Thursday evening at the casino and charged with third-degree grand larceny.  

The two are accused of taking the money at the casino the evening of Jan. 25, according to police allegations filed in court.

Boutros, as the dealer, is accused of paying out the chips to Hage for non-winning Baccarat hands and Hage is accused of accepting the chips knowing he did not win them, according to to the allegations. The chips were later exchanged for cash, authorities allege.

Both Boutros and Hage are believed to have known each other outside the casino, prosecutor Eamonn Neary said Monday. He didn’t have information on how exactly they allegedly knew each other.

“It does appear that they did know each other,” Neary said.

He did not have information on when the casino picked up on the alleged scheme, but said there was also an indication that Hage did better at Boutros’ table.

The casino has been very helpful in the investigation, including with video evidence, Neary said.

The casino had roughly 700 surveillance cameras as of 2017, casino officials said then.

“They have great security video,” Neary said.

Contacted Monday, a casino spokesman referred questions on the case to police.

Hage and Boutros were arraigned and released under non-monetary conditions. They are due back in court later.

UPPER MERION >> On Feb. 8 criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

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Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a Secret Service Agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by state troopers with the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, he initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.

UPPER MERION >> On Feb. 8 criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

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Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a Secret Service Agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by state troopers with the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, he initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.

UPPER MERION >> On Feb. 8 criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

Advertisement

Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a Secret Service Agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by state troopers with the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, he initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.

KING OF PRUSSIA >> Criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their alleged roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

Advertisement

Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a U.S. Secret Service agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by Pennsylvania State Police troopers assigned to the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Tong initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.

UPPER MERION >> On Feb. 8 criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

Advertisement

Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a Secret Service Agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by state troopers with the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, he initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.

king of prussia >> Criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their alleged roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

Advertisement

Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a U.S. Secret Service agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by Pennsylvania State Police troopers assigned to the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Tong initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.

UPPER MERION >> On Feb. 8 criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

Advertisement

Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a Secret Service Agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by state troopers with the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, he initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.

UPPER MERION >> On Feb. 8 criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

Advertisement

Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a Secret Service Agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by state troopers with the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, he initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.

UPPER MERION >> On Feb. 8 criminal complaints were filed in Montgomery County District Court against two men for their roles in a counterfeit cash scheme at Valley Forge Casino.

Former dealer, Long Vu Tong, 34, of Souderton, and Lieu Khang David Bui, 21, of Philadelphia, are charged with theft by deception, criminal conspiracy and forgery in connection with the exchange of fake bills for $4,000 in cash on the casino floor last fall.

According to arresting documents, Bui entered the casino around 7:11 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2017, and sat down at the Spanish 21 where Tong was dealing.

Bui removed $2,500 from his pocket, which Tong laid out on the table before depositing in a drop box and handing Bui $2,500 worth of chips.

Bui then played at the table briefly before cashing out and playing a little roulette, but returned to Tong’s table and presented another $1,500 which Tong accepted and exchanged for chips as before.

After playing a little while longer, Bui cashed out again and went to the cage to exchange his chips for cash.

Casino counters discovered that the bills Bui gave to Tong did not have embedded red and blue fibers and were not printed on genuine U.S. currency paper. And on Nov. 21, the bills were confirmed to be counterfeit by a Secret Service Agent.

On Nov. 28, and again on Nov. 29, Tong was interviewed by state troopers with the Valley Forge Gaming Office.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, he initially admitted only a passing acquaintance with Bui, but later said he received a phone call from Bui earlier on the day of the incident in which Bui informed him of his intentions to pass the counterfeit bills.

Tong told investigators that he initially thought Bui was joking and he told him not to do it, but Bui showed up at his table anyway so he “let it slide” and continued on with his work.

Tong also told investigators he later drove Bui to the King of Prussia Mall and voiced his displeasure at the situation by “cursing and telling him off.”

He said Bui offered him a cut, but he refused.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for March 7.