Bail set for two men in Rio robbery

Justice of the Peace Deborah Lippis set the bail amount and a March 15 preliminary hearing for Edward Land, 41, and Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, 61. They are charged with armed robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary with use of a deadly weapon. Both are in the Clark County Detention Center.

The third suspect, Steven Gao, is the man authorities believe robbed a Pai Gow table at the Rio at gunpoint about 4:30 a.m. Thursday while wearing a disguise. He remained at large Tuesday and authorities believe he may have fled to California.

Yamaguchi is accused of being the getaway driver, using his cab to drive Gao from the Rio to Terrible’s Casino, where he met Land.

Casino and in-cab security tapes helped Las Vegas police crack the case. Police found an unloaded revolver and $1,000 in chips in Yamaguchi’s cab after the robbery.

Gao reportedly has a gambling problem, according to police, and was trying to get money to pay a $15,000 debt to Land.

Police allege Land was aware that Gao got the chips illegally, possibly by robbery. According to his arrest report, Land knew he was wrong to be involved but wanted the money.

At Land’s home, near Spring Mountain Road and Durango Drive, investigators recovered $17,000 in Rio chips, a wig and a shoulder bag allegedly used by Gao in the robbery.

Attorneys for Land have said their client is a victim in the case and that he "emphatically denies participation in the robbery."

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.