A shadow has fallen over Oakland’s streets, stemming from a world of illicit gambling and escalating violence. An Dao, 44, now faces a barrage of felony charges, the culmination of a frantic pursuit and a disturbing investigation into an alleged illegal casino operation.
The drama unfolded with a high-speed chase, Oakland police relentlessly pursuing Dao through the city’s intricate network of roads. This wasn’t a random pursuit; it followed a shooting, a violent eruption linked directly to the underground casino Dao is accused of managing.
Dao’s recent arrest on October 2nd reveals a complex web of alleged offenses. He’s currently held at Santa Rita Jail, facing charges including drug possession, firearm violations, vehicle theft, and evading law enforcement – his bail set at a substantial $350,000.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled for November 7th at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse, but this isn’t Dao’s first encounter with felony charges. Just days prior, on September 29th, another arrest triggered a new wave of scrutiny.
Despite records listing Dao as a landscaper, authorities paint a different picture. They allege he’s the key figure behind a gambling den located on the 1300 block of East 15th Street, a location raided on September 17th.
The raid followed a nonfatal shooting just three days earlier at a nearby gambling establishment. Investigators believe the shooter fled in a BMW, a vehicle they suspect belonged to Dao, immediately making him a person of interest.
The September 29th chase began with a simple traffic stop – a missing front license plate. It quickly escalated into a dangerous pursuit along East 12th and 10th Streets, culminating in the discovery of a stun gun and body armor inside the BMW.
This case isn’t isolated. Oakland authorities suspect a disturbing connection between dozens of nonfatal shootings this year and the ruthless rivalries brewing within these illegal gambling circles.
The pattern of violence isn’t unique to Oakland. Similar gambling networks across the country, including those in San Diego and North Carolina, have been linked to escalating and dangerous criminal activity.
