Man charged with robbing Bowser's Casino

Man charged with robbing Bowser's Casino, four other felonies
By ANGELA BRANDT Independent Record

Police have located and charged a Helena man believed to be the armed robber who made off with more than $9,000 from a Helena casino last month.

Prosecutors filed paperwork in Justice Court on Wednesday charging David Gary Burton with robbery along with four other felony counts, including burglary, theft and deceptive practices.

Burton, 35, is accused of pointing a handgun at an employee and demanding money during a robbery at Bowser’s Lucky Dog Casino at 3140 Dredge Drive on Dec. 17. The robber was clad in a dark ski mask at the time of the robbery.

Burton is being held in Lewis and Clark County Detention Center in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Court documents allege Burton told a friend he had stolen a minivan at King Lewy’s Auto on North Last Chance Gulch earlier that same night and used it as the getaway vehicle for the robbery. Burton allegedly had bragged to the friend about the money he had stolen from the casino. Investigators found this lead credible as the amount was similar to the cash taken from the establishment and that number had not been publicized, the documents note.

Another charge of felony theft has been filed for stealing the cash.

During a pool game with another acquaintance just before the casino robbery, Burton allegedly informed the man that he intended to commit a robbery. Court documents say the stolen van was seen on surveillance footage near the Helena bar where the pool game took place and later parked near Bowser’s.

Burton also faces two charges of felony burglary for allegedly stealing the minivan after breaking into the lot’s office and stealing the keys, and also burglarizing a home on Green Meadow Drive two days before the robbery.

Court documents allege Burton shattered a window at the home to gain access and then stole a laptop computer and a credit card from the homeowner.

Burton, who is on probation for a burglary conviction in Jefferson County, also is charged with deceptive practices for allegedly using the stolen credit card to purchase fast food and fuel.

Helena police investigated these crimes along with state probation and parole officers and the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office.