Theft at casino results in 2 felony arrests

A man and a woman were arrested on felony charges after a Madera County sheriff’s deputy investigated a call about a theft at Chukchansi Gold Casino.

The call came in about 1 p.m. Feb. 21, and Deputy Michael Murphy responded. He talked to the victim, who told him items she had with her in the casino had been stolen. Those items included a bag containing a laptop computer, tools, and computer accessories.

Murphy learned a woman had taken a bag from the casino floor when the victim’s attention was distracted, and had already left the casino with a male companion.

Murphy spotted the female suspect inside the casino after she returned a short time later. He and held her for questioning. The male suspect also returned to the casino and was detained for questioning as well.

The suspects were 47-year-old Kellie Brittain and 39-year-old Robin Dietrich, both of Fresno.

Brittain and Dietrich were taken into custody, transported and booked into Madera County Department of Corrections without incident on felony charges of grand theft and receiving stolen property.

All of the stolen items were recovered and returned to the victim.