Pay Up Or Blow Up — Reno/Sparks

California, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Bombings, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Extortion, Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Washoe County Commission (NV), Harolds Club (Reno, NV), Harrah's (Reno, NV), It Really Happened, John Ascuaga, Nugget Motor Lodge / Dick Graves' Nugget / John Ascuaga's Nugget (Sparks, NV), Reno--Nevada, Sparks--Nevada, United States2 Comments

1970-1971 In the summer of 1970, a package and suitcase found in a Sparks Nugget motor lodge room in Nevada with a note affixed saying to please deliver the items to Nugget owner John Ascuaga’s office. A $20 bill was attached as a tip. A few days later, Nugget manager Gil Padroli opened the package.…

Quick Fact – Gutsy Granny

Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Bombings, Did You Know?, Harrah's (Reno, NV), Quick Facts, Reno--NevadaLeave a comment

1972 A 71-year-old, wheelchair-bound, California grandmother, Susan Ellyn Reid, who had a long rap sheet and various aliases, entered Harrahs Club in Reno, Nevada in July carrying a box. She gave casino personnel a typed note that demanded $100,000 and indicated she was holding a bomb. It revealed kidnappers were holding her grandson hostage, so…