Best Las Vegas Cases | DOUBLE EPISODE | The FBI Files

The FBI Files・2 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.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

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.

Related videos

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.

Try it yourself — It’s free.