Prosecutors: Nassau police officer, wife plotted to rob casino patron

<p>A Nassau County police officer and his wife, a casino employee at Jake&rsquo;s 58, were arrested and charged with plotting a gunpoint robbery of a casino patron.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Jun 13, 2018, 4:41 PM

Updated 2,142 days ago

Share:

A Nassau County police officer and his wife, a casino employee at Jake’s 58, were arrested and charged with plotting a gunpoint robbery of a casino patron. 
Prosecutors say 29-year-old Christina Moeller, who works in the cash room at Jake's 58, noticed that a patron was winning a lot of money back on March 1. She then allegedly texted her husband, 32-year-old Bruce Moeller, and gave him a description of the lucky customer.
Prosecutors say once Bruce Moeller got his wife's text message, he came to Jake's 58 with his gun and searched the casino looking for that patron to rob.  
Authorities say Moeller couldn't find him. 
In Central Islip court Wednesday, prosecutors also said charges could be upgraded because the grand jury is also considering allegations that Officer Moeller and his wife were also planning an armored car heist – plotting to rob the truck as it made a delivery to Jake's 58.
The arrest of Bruce Moeller comes on the heels a DEA investigation that resulted in nine arrests – two of whom were Nassau police officers. They were allegedly part of a heroin and cocaine drug ring. 
News 12 sources say it was during that investigation that investigators learned about and gathered evidence against Moeller and his wife.
The couple pleaded not guilty and were released on bond. Defense attorney William Petrillo called Bruce Moeller a “well-respected, popular police officer who enjoys enormous support behind him.” He also said that his client is a Marine and served two separate tours in Afghanistan. 
Petrillo said that Christina Moeller has worked at the casino for a year, and that she took the position after her father passed away. 
He says he plans to vigorously defend the couple against the allegations.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder released a statement that said in part, “Any accusation and arrest of this kind is considered extremely serious by the department and has been met with swift action.  The individuals have been suspended without pay while an internal affairs investigation has commenced.”
The statement goes on to call the arrests “disappointing and disheartening to the department.”


More from News 12
0:51
Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

Wildfire in Wharton State Forest consumes more than 400 acres of land

1:56
Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

Isolated storms tonight; freeze warning in effect for parts of NJ overnight

2:54
Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

Longtime Democratic US Rep. Donald Payne Jr. dies at 65 following heart attack

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:56
Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

Passaic to get $1.6M in federal funds to reduce flash flooding where 2 people died

2:56
Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

Doctors combine a pig kidney transplant and a heart device in a bid to extend New Jersey woman's life

0:43
Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

Jersey Proud: Manchester HS students teach older generation about tech

2:23
'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

'The tower is an eyesore.' Demolition of former Nabisco factory tower set to begin after 1-year delay

1:03
Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

Rep. Gottheimer announces another attempt to put an end to NYC’s congestion pricing plan

0:29
Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

Former Wawa gas attendant accused of stealing thousands of dollars from customers

1:33
AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

AAA: New Jersey gas prices increase nearly 20 cents from last week

2:12
Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

Princeton University accused of violating civil rights of Jewish students

0:37
Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

Prosecutors: Former Jersey City police officer charged with sex assault, criminal restraint

0:27
Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

Washington Township police issues warning over 'Water Wars' game

0:34
Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

Camden County man charged in crash that killed young mother

2:18
Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA says

0:32
US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

US banning TikTok? Your key questions answered

0:35
Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

Bon Jovi docuseries premieres Friday on Hulu

0:31
New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

1:02
Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started

Composting can save money, help gardens and save the planet. Here are 10 tips to get you started