Armed Robbery Suspect Captured while Playing Blackjack

On February 22, 2012 around 1:00 am 43-year-old Ira Junior Byers, a Phoenix resident, robbed the Circle K at 7351 W. Chandler Blvd.  Investigating officers quickly identified Ira as the suspect from two prior Circle K robberies.  A K-9 officer contacted security at the nearby Lone Butte Casino and provided them with a photograph of Ira. 

Later in the morning Lone Butte Casino security contacted the Chandler Police Department to advise Ira was inside their casino.  When officers arrived at the casino they found Ira sitting at a blackjack table.  Ira was taken into custody without incident and later booked into the Maricopa County Jail on three counts of Armed Robbery. 

Ira is also the suspect in two armed robberies in Phoenix, which also occurred on February 22, 2012. 

For further information please contact Detective Seth Tyler.