Former Las Vegas Sands Casino Kidnapping Makes National News Headlines

• Jack Gold
• December 17, 2019

Shocking stories of crime at casinos has made news headlines from time to time. A recent kidnapping from a Pennsylvania casino made the news . The incident was reported on Friday, Dec. 13 and it took place earlier that week.

The suspect was apprehended and charged with abducting an 84-year old casino patron at Wind Creek. The former Las Vegas Sands property is located in the city of Bethlehem. The abduction took place in the Wind Creek Bethlehem parking garage.

Kidnapping At A Casino In Pennsylvania Makes National Headlines

Hykeem Rasmeen Sessoms was arrested by Bethlehem law enforcement officers. The PA resident is charged with kidnapping, robbery, threat of serious bodily injury as the main crimes. Also listed are charges of terroristic threats, receiving stolen property and simple assault.

The 38-year old suspect is being detained in the Northampton County Jail. He was arraigned on Thursday, Dec. 12 in Northampton County Magisterial Court. He appeared before Judge Joseph K. Barner.

As part of the initial crime report on WFMZ TV News, the victim suffered leg injuries from kicks. She was also allegedly struck in the head by his fists. The victim underwent treatment at an area hospital as reported by the local newspaper, The Morning Call. Her injuries did not appear to be life threatening.

They heard the victim yell, “I don’t have any money.”

The women’s ordeal began when she returned to her car in the parking garage. The suspect snuck up behind her and demanded money. He claimed to have a gun. A casino employee witnessed the scene. They heard the victim yell, “I don’t have any money.”

At that point, Sessoms demanded the woman to get in the car while he moved into the back seat. He continued to demand money while they drove around the local area. He then grabbed her purse and took $10 in cash.

The woman did cash out her winnings at the casino but Sessoms only found the $10. At this point he fled from the car. After describing her attacker to the local police, he was also visible on surveillance cameras to aid the search.

The suspect was found later that day by local police. He was caught hiding behind a parked car on a city street. He initially denied being at Wind Creek that day. He finally admitted to being on the casino’s first floor. Yet, he continued to deny he was in the parking garage.

Sessoms will be back in court on Thursday, Dec. 26. He will return to the local courthouse for a preliminary hearing.

The former Las Vegas Sands was acquired by Wind Creek Hospitality this summer. It is officially known as Wind Creek Bethlehem. The casino is owned and operated by the Poarch Creek Indians. The Tribe is located in Alabama. The Las Vegas Sands sold the property for $1.3 billion. The actual deal was finalized on May 31, 2019.

Outside the major PA cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the Bethlehem casino was one of the highest in gaming revenue. Conveniently located north of Philadelphia and west of New York City, it quickly became a top PA casino location.