INCLINE VILLAGE " A 24-year-old Bulgarian citizen and Tahoe Biltmore cashier is in custody after being charged with grand larceny Monday by agents with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, who believe he stole $14,000 from the Biltmore Casino.
Zhivko Petrov Chalakob was arrested after Nevada Gaming Control Board officials said he turned himself in for stealing $14,000 from the Biltmore's cashier area, said Deputy Chief Edward Yenick of the control board in Reno.
Yenick said Chalakob left his shift Sunday to go to the Crystal Bay Casino, where he lost $3,600.
Heather Bacon, casino manager of the Biltmore, said the theft was identified within an hour of its occurrence Sunday by Biltmore security. Washoe County Sheriff's deputies were notified along with the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
Chalakob then fled to Carson City before taking a cab to Reno, Yenick said.
From there, Yenick said, Chalakob paid for a cab ride to San Francisco, where he stayed the night.
On Monday morning, Chalakob turned himself in to San Francisco Police, Yenick said. He also turned over all of the money left from his escapade " $8,582.
"At that point he returned voluntarily to the Washoe County Sheriff's Office in Incline, where we arrested him for grand larceny," Yenick said.
Chalakob was caught on the Biltmore's camera, Yenick said.
"The Biltmore takes any crime very seriously," Bacon said. "And we will prosecute any crime, whether it's by an employee or member of the public, to the fullest extent of the law."
As of Thursday, Chalakob was in custody at the Washoe County detention facility in Reno on bond. Yenick said Chalakob was in the U.S. on a work visa and the status of his immigration will be resolved after he makes his way through the Washoe County legal system.
Bacon said the $8,582 Chalakob returned to the San Francisco police is being returned to the Biltmore.