Deputies nab man accused in robbery at Tachi Palace

A Bay Area man suspected of stealing more than $400 from the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino last week was arrested on Sunday after returning to the scene of his alleged crime to steal a purse, authorities said. An investigation into the theft of $445 from the Tachi Palace was brought to an abrupt close Sunday at 2:15 a.m. when the missing suspect was tackled in the casino parking lot.

Pedro Zamora, 28, of Hayward was detained by Palace security and later taken into custody by Kings County Sheriff's deputies. Zamora was positively identified by the woman he apparently stole the purse from and the slot machine attendant who was robbed on Jan. 25.

Officials said Zamora grabbed the purse, described as an "expensive designer purse" with a "large amount of money inside," from a woman sitting at a slot machine. He shoved her forward and grabbed the purse out of her lap, then made a run for the exit.

The getaway was cut short when a bystander knocked Zamora to the ground.

Deputies returned the purse and all of its contents to the victim, who complained of only minor back pain following the attack.

In addition to witnesses at the scene, Zamora was also reportedly caught on video surveillance by Palace security, Sheriff's Department officials said.

One week before his arrest, Zamora apparently approached a slot machine attendant at the casino and asked for a reimbursement of a $15 voucher he was carrying. When the attendant went to pay him, Zamora grabbed a stack of $5 bills and ran for the exit, disappearing down Jersey Avenue.

Zamora was booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of two counts of robbery and two counts of grand theft. He is being held in lieu of $60,000.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(Feb. 3, 2009)