TRACY, California – On Friday, December 13, 2024, at approximately 5:45 a.m., Tracy Police Patrol Officers responded to an armed robbery report at Stars Casino, located at 3170 Naglee Road. Casino employees informed authorities that a man, dressed in black and armed with a firearm, stole a large sum of money before fleeing the scene.
To help locate the suspect, officers deployed an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), or drone, to search the area. The drone’s thermal imaging technology helped officers track the suspect, who was seen running through a nearby property. Authorities quickly set up a perimeter, leading to the discovery of the suspect hiding in a drainage ditch.
The suspect, identified as Joseph Just, 34, from Antioch, was taken into custody after a brief negotiation. Officers recovered a replica firearm and a substantial amount of cash in the area.
Just was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges of 211 PC – robbery.
The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Tracy Police Department at (209) 831-6550. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Tracy Crime Stoppers at (209) 831-4847 or by texting “TIPTPD” and your message to CRIMES (274637).