Suspect wanted after robbing Gold Rush Arcade in Fort Myers

SWFL Crime Stoppers is looking for a suspect accused of taking a large amount of money from Gold Rush Arcade on Cypress Lake Drive on Aug. 4.

Another arcade robbery and the crook is still on the loose, video shows them calmly walking out of the arcade with a bag full of cash.

An employee at a barbeque restaurant told deputies he thinks he served the would-be robbery suspect just 15 minutes before the robbery took place.

He said the woman he served was acting suspiciously and was wearing the same clothing as the person who robbed The Gold Rush Arcade minutes later.

While investigators have not shared details on the person they’re searching for, they’re hoping someone recognizes the individual from the arcade’s surveillance video.

The person walks right up to the employee counter and investigators said the suspect passed a note demanding cash.

And, less than 60 seconds later, the person walks out of the arcade heading east on Cypress Lake Drive.

“It’s possible some of these robbers were actually customers at some of these facilities,” said Rich Kolko, safety and security specialist. “So, they’ve been at these places. They see how much cash is there. They see how quickly the cash moves around the room. Does it go into a safe? Where is it stored? They consider it an easy mark.”

WINK News spoke with employees at the businesses east of the arcade and one person said he spoke with deputies believing he served the suspect 15 minutes before the robbery.

“Kind of like ‘stuttery’ and quick. And then we usually have them pull into a parking spot and then we bring their order out when it’s ready,” said Landon Flett, who works near the arcade. “She wouldn’t pull into a parking spot. She pulled up right alongside of the sidewalk. And then she tried to leave actually before we could give her her food.”

It’s unclear if it’s the same person or not, but Flett saw the surveillance video for himself and said the woman he served was wearing the same clothing.

“She was rushing out of here. And when she paid, she paid with cash,” said Flett. “And I noticed she was like digging through a ‘zip-lock’ bag of cash to pay. And I was like, ‘seems a little strange’.”

The business is sending its surveillance video to the sheriff’s office. And Flett said he’ll feel a sense of pride if it ends up leading deputies to the person who robbed the arcade.

“It’s weird… um… especially if it was the same person,” said Flett. “That’s weird that they like, ‘hey let me get a quick bite, then go rob a casino’.”

On August 4, 2022, the suspect entered Gold Rush Arcade located on Cypress Lake Dr., passed a note demanding money and fled the business on foot. If anyone has any information, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/IZBa9jgICG

— SWFL Crime Stoppers (@SWFLCrime8477) August 5, 2022

If you have any information on this incident or can identify the pictured individual, call Crime Stoppers 1-800-780-TIPS (8477), submit a tip online at SWFL Crime Stoppers. WINK News reached out to investigators for more details on this crime, including exactly how much money was taken, we’re waiting to hear back.