Crime and Courts

Billings murder suspect linked to nearly a dozen armed robberies

Posted: Feb 14, 2013 2:19 PM by Angela Douglas - MTN News

BILLINGS - A Billings man, suspected of kidnapping and murdering another man, has now been linked to ten armed robberies in Billings and one in Livingston.

Court documents filed late Wednesday accuse Simon Jacobson of committing nearly a dozen casino robberies since April of last year.

The 28-year-old is now facing 14 felony charges.

The first robbery occurred on April 6 at the Magic Diamond Casino on King Avenue, with the most recent robbery at the Won 800 Casino on North 24th Street West taking place on January 13, just four days before the kidnapping and murder of DeJuan Laster.

Here's a list of the casinos robbed and the approximate amount of money stolen:

BILLINGS CASINOS:
April 6, 2012 - Magic Diamond Casino - $1,849
June 24, 2012 - Montana Lil's Casino - $2,050
June 24, 2012 - Alpine Casino - $0 (attempted robbery)
July 29, 2012 - Caribbean Nights Casino - $11,316
August 23, 2012 - Grand Casino - $10,669
September 17, 2012 - Bottles and Shots Casino - $2,000
September 17, 2012 - Grand Casino - $12,522
October 17, 2012 - Jackpot Nevada Casino - $2,516
November 10, 2012 - Bayou Casino - $15,400
January 13, 2013 - Won 800 Casino - $10,262

LIVINGSTON CASINO:
September 3, 2012 - Hideout Casino - $5,324.89

In total, Jacobson allegedly robbed the casinos of approximately $73,909.

The alleged robberies committed by Jacobson represent 30 percent of the robberies committed within Billings in the past year, according to Lieutenant Kevin Iffland.

Jacobson will enter his plea to all 13 charges Friday morning in Yellowstone County District Court.