A Kansas City man remains in custody in Platte County after going on a destructive spree in Riverside’s shuttered Argosy Casino late last month.
James Chambers, 30, is charged with burglary and felony property damage. Due to a prior failure to appear in court, Chambers is held on $50,000 cash-only bond.
A request to reduce his bond was denied by judge Ann Hansbrough last week. Another hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19.
According to court documents, Riverside police responded to a 911 call from Children’s Mercy on Argosy Casino Parkway.
The call claimed vehicular problems, but when police arrived they found an SUV abandoned in an intersection. The vehicle was registered to Chambers.
Chambers
Police heard an alarm coming from the clinic and responded, with Children’s Mercy security assisting the search.
Review of the security footage showed Chambers yanking on a secured door until it opened. He went inside, found a phone and made a call, then left and walked around the parking lot. He then disappeared.
While his vehicle was being towed, a 911 hang up call was received from inside the casino, which is closed due to COVID-19. When officers arrived, they found damage to a temporary plywood wall near some revolving doors, and a hole in the sheetrock leading inside.
During a search, Chambers was found shirtless and shoeless and wandering a catwalk above the casino floor. He fled and additional officers were called in, with Platte County Sheriff’s Office, North Kansas City, Kansas City and Highway Patrol responding.
Review of surveillance showed Chambers entering the casino and police heard movement in the ceiling during a search. After several hours of tracking the movement, he was spotted inside the Lucky Taco restaurant.
Chambers fled, breaking through a glass door, and was chased onto the gaming floor by officers, where he was apprehended and gave police a false name.
During his romp through the casino, Chambers is alleged to have caused more than $200,000 in damages.
Chambers has an extensive criminal record, including assaulting a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance, burglary and more from Cass, Bates, Johnson counties and more.