Best Las Vegas Cases | DOUBLE EPISODE | The FBI Files

The FBI Files61 minutes read

A gang of robbers in Las Vegas stages a violent heist at an ATM repository, leading to a deadly confrontation with law enforcement. After a series of investigations and confrontations, the robbers are ultimately apprehended, with tragic consequences for those involved.

Insights

  • The FBI's investigation into the Las Vegas ATM robbery reveals a complex web of criminal activities involving multiple individuals, intricate planning, and a violent aftermath, showcasing the challenges law enforcement faces in solving such high-stakes crimes.
  • The tragic conclusion of the Tim Blackburn saga highlights the devastating impact of violent crime, culminating in a hostage situation that ends in multiple deaths, underscoring the human toll and irreversible consequences of criminal actions.

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Recent questions

  • What was the largest heist in Las Vegas history?

    The gang of robbers targeted an ATM repository, stealing over a million dollars in cash, making it the largest heist in the city's history.

  • Who was involved in the Las Vegas ATM robbery?

    The actual robbers were Riley's brother Robert and friend Tim.

  • How did authorities locate Tim Blackburn?

    Authorities located Tim Blackburn through a surveillance operation at his house.

  • What was found in Tim Blackburn's backyard?

    Stolen money was found in duffel bags in Blackburn's backyard doghouse.

  • How did the Las Vegas ATM robbery come to an end?

    The violent bank robber, Tim Blackburn, barricaded himself in an apartment with his family, resulting in a tragic hostage rescue scenario that ended with Blackburn taking his own life, along with the deaths of his wife and two daughters.

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Summary

00:00

Las Vegas ATM Heist: FBI Pursues Robbers

  • A gang of robbers in Las Vegas targets an ATM repository, stealing over a million dollars in cash, the largest heist in the city's history.
  • The FBI and local police struggle to identify a violent criminal involved in the robbery, which turns deadly.
  • The robbers force a janitorial service family to assist in accessing the bank's ATM repository, bypassing the alarm system.
  • The robbers release the couple but keep the sister-in-law hostage to ensure compliance, leading to a violent confrontation with armored car guards.
  • The wounded guard survives, and the robbers escape in a stolen police maintenance vehicle, later switching to a white GMC truck.
  • The FBI receives a tip leading them to a rented trailer where they find $50,000 in cash and marijuana, belonging to a dancer named Jennifer and her boyfriend Riley.
  • Special Agent Brett Shields interrogates Riley, who eventually reveals his brother Robert and friend Tim as the actual robbers.
  • Agents locate Robert at a hotel, where he has been spending extravagantly since the robbery, and find drugs, a gun, and cash in his room.
  • The focus shifts to Tim Blackburn, a martial arts expert and dangerous suspect, leading to a surveillance operation at his house.
  • During the operation, a car believed to be driven by Blackburn speeds away, and a man, likely Blackburn, flees on foot, jumping over a fence.

21:58

Manhunt for Robbery Suspect Ends in Arrest

  • Authorities search for Tim Blackburn after a robbery, leading to his sister-in-law's arrest.
  • A K-9 unit finds Blackburn hiding under a deck, without his gun.
  • Investigators search Blackburn's home, finding flex cuffs and surveillance equipment.
  • Blackburn hid stolen money in duffel bags in his backyard doghouse.
  • Over $900,000 of stolen money is recovered from the doghouse.
  • Blackburn and Robert Bates are charged with various crimes and held in detention.
  • Authorities suspect Blackburn and Bates had accomplices due to the complexity of the crime.
  • Sophia Blackburn is suspected of involvement but denies knowledge of the robbery.
  • Sophia helps Tim escape from jail, leading to a violent shootout with guards.
  • Authorities arrest Blackburn's brother and sister-in-law for aiding him, using a note to lure Tim into the open for arrest.

41:43

Tragic Bank Robbery Ends in Devastating Loss

  • Tim Blackburn, a violent bank robber, barricades himself in a Las Vegas apartment with his wife Sophia and two daughters, leading to a hostage rescue scenario.
  • FBI Agent Henry Schlumpf tries to negotiate with Blackburn, who is adamant about not going back to jail and expresses suicidal thoughts.
  • Blackburn puts his daughters in the bathtub for protection, raising concerns of a potential murder-suicide pact.
  • After hours of negotiation, the SWAT team prepares to breach the door to rescue Sophia and the children.
  • Blackburn ultimately shoots himself, resulting in the deaths of Sophia and their two daughters.
  • The coroner determines that all fatal shots were fired by Blackburn himself.
  • Months later, accomplices of Blackburn plead guilty to various charges related to the robbery.
  • The FBI investigates a separate case involving a gang of armed robbers targeting Las Vegas casinos.
  • The robbers steal nearly $350,000 from the MGM Grand, leading to a manhunt by law enforcement.
  • Through surveillance footage and witness accounts, investigators track down the robbers, leading to a confrontation at the Desert Inn casino.

01:04:38

"Identifying Duarte: Robbery Ring Leader Apprehended"

  • Agent Shields seeks positive identification on Duarte.
  • A photo lineup is shown to the only witness of the desert inn robbers.
  • Surveillance is set up on Duarte, but no incriminating evidence is gathered.
  • Robbery at Mandalay Bay Casino is linked to a previous one at MGM Grand.
  • Viggoa's history with Agent Shields is recalled, leading to suspicions.
  • Viggoa's financial discrepancies raise suspicions, but not enough for a warrant.
  • Viggoa is put under surveillance, but no concrete evidence is found.
  • A violent robbery at Ross Dress for Less results in two guard deaths.
  • The robbers' getaway car is found, but no definitive suspects are identified.
  • Viggoa is finally identified as the leader of the violent robberies and is apprehended after a dangerous chase.

01:26:10

Crime spree unraveled through suspect's confession.

  • Investigators execute a consent to search on the suspect's car hood, leading to permission to search his house while questioning him about assets in his name linked to criminal activities.
  • Cisneros claims innocence, stating he was unaware of any crimes and was merely helping a friend by holding assets in his name.
  • A hidden compartment in Cisneros' closet is discovered, containing significant evidence related to robberies and killings.
  • Cisneros eventually confesses to multiple crimes, including robberies and killings, implicating Vigoa as the ringleader.
  • Pipe bombs are found in Cisneros' bedroom, leading to the evacuation of the house and the subsequent detonation of the bombs by the bomb squad.
  • Cisneros' confession leads to the arrest of Pedro Duarte as the getaway driver and the identification of Luis Suarez as the final robber who had fled the state.
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