The FBI says an arrest has been made in an armed robbery at a Payson casino that happened last month.
According to the FBI, 31-year-old or Ryan Pearson and 32-year-old Armando Ochoa were arrested in the incident. Both were employees of the casino at the time.
The incident happened at the Mazatzal Casino around 12:25 a.m. on July 17. The casino is located along Highway 87 in the southern area of Payson.
According to the FBI, two suspects entered the casino in all black clothing including hoodies and masks, armed with a long gun and several pistols.
The suspects fired several rounds while threatening employees and demanding money. According to federal court records, the suspects stole $650,000.
When questioned, agents said Pearson admitted he and Ochoa robbed the casino.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
The FBI does not typically release mugshots of suspects.
Investigators recovered roughly $480,000 of the stolen money. Court records filed Tuesday did not explain what happened to the rest.
Pearson and Ochoa are now charged with a Hobbs Act Robbery and Use of a Weapon in a Crime
of Violence.
