Accused casino robbers preliminary delayed

A hearing for two Minden men accused of robbing the COD Casino in July has been delayed until Dec. 29.

Chase Aaron Henderson and Andrew Scott Toomey, 43, remain in custody.

They were scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 7, but witnesses were unavailable before the end of December. The pair, who are being tried together, previously waived a preliminary hearing within 15 days of their arrest.

Henderson is being represented by Matthew Ence, while Toomey is being represented by Max Stovall.

The men were arrested after the early morning robbery after opening fire on a deputy who conducted a July 14 traffic stop on County Road in Minden.

Henderson, 33, was on federal parole at the time of the robbery and is subject to a no-bail hold issued by the U.S. Marshall’s Service. Toomey is being held in lieu of $1.6 million bail.

The men are accused of entering the casino on Esmeralda Avenue and forcing three workers and two patrons into the cage while they took the money around 5 a.m.

They got into a blue and white PT Cruiser and fled the scene, only to be stopped by a deputy who saw the vehicle matched the description.

Henderson allegedly fired on the deputy and tried to hide. Both men were arrested at the scene and the loot was recovered.