3 arrested for allegedly drugging, robbing patrons at San Manuel Casino

HIGHLAND, Calif. (KABC) -- Three people have been arrested, accused of drugging and robbing patrons at the San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino.

Police say 52-year-old Esperanza Maldonado, 27-year-old Cameron Dollar and 41-year-old Eddie Lee Chapman targeted several victims from April 2012 to last November.

On April 5, 2012, investigators said victim Gabriel Mcurad, 66, was talking to Maldonado when he suddenly lost consciousness. Authorities said Mcurad woke up to find he was missing cash from his pocket and Maldonado was gone. Authorities said Dollar acted as a look-out for Maldonado during this incident.

On Nov. 8, 2014, authorities said victim George Edginton, 48, also lost consciousness after having a beer with Maldonado. Edginton told investigators he remembered the beer tasting different after leaving it unattended with Maldonado while he used the restroom.

"When I came back I took a few sips of that beer, and when I did, I noticed instantly that I felt nauseous," Edginton said. "The person next to me, I said to her, 'Did you do something with this beer because you're the only one here and I feel sick?' Next thing you know I was on the casino floor and she was gone."

Surveillance video shows Maldonado taking a vial from her bra and pouring a substance into Edginton's beer. Investigators said the substance was either ecstasy, GHB or ketamine based on the victims' reactions.

After he awoke, Edginton reported the incident to casino security and no longer felt the effects of the unknown substance. He decided to drive home but lost consciousness again on the freeway. He crashed into a concrete barrier and sustained injuries.

A few days later on Nov. 11, victim Ralph Imbelloni, 74, told authorities he was robbed by an unknown Hispanic female. Upon reviewing surveillance footage, investigators identified Maldonado as the suspect. The footage also showed Chapman holding Imbelloni up while unconscious so Maldonado could take cash and a cellphone from his pocket.

Dollar, who was on probation for a previous offense, was arrested Dec. 3. The next day, sheriff's detectives served a search warrant at Maldonado and Chapman's home in Hesperia. Investigators found a small cylinder shaped vial containing an unknown residue.

Maldonado and Chapman evaded law enforcement until they were finally arrested at their residence Feb. 5.

If you have any information about these crimes, you're asked to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.