Published on: November 1, 2025, 08:15h.
Updated on: November 1, 2025, 08:25h.
- Authorities connect suspect to violent illegal gambling conflict in Oakland
- Suspect crashed a BMW, fled on foot, and was subsequently captured
- Items seized from the suspect’s vehicle included narcotics, a firearm, and body armor
A man suspected of participating in a shooting tied to an escalating conflict among rival illegal gambling operators in Oakland, California, has been taken into custody following a police pursuit throughout the city, reports The Mercury News.
On September 29, police attempted to stop An Dao, 44, due to the lack of a front license plate on his BMW, as indicated in court documents. However, Dao fled the scene at high speeds, prompting a chase.
After crashing into another vehicle, Dao abandoned the BMW and was captured two blocks away. Inside the car, officers discovered a stun gun and body armor, according to the court filings.
Gambling Venue Comes Under Fire
Prior to this incident, Dao was already on the Oakland Police Department’s radar. Investigators suspect he was managing an illegal gambling venue located east of downtown. Just two weeks prior, another casino in the vicinity was targeted in a drive-by shooting, with the assailant escaping in a BMW resembling Dao’s.
Though Dao is considered a person of interest in that nonfatal shooting, no formal charges have been filed as of yet.
On September 17, police conducted a raid on Dao’s casino. Although he was not present, authorities seized bags of methamphetamine, a loaded firearm with ammunition, several thousand dollars in cash, and a wooden board displaying the house rules, reportedly signed by “Waldo,” a name associated with Dao.
Oakland law enforcement has associated a rise in gun violence with competing operators of the city’s underground gambling scene, with numerous nonfatal shootings in 2025 believed to stem from territorial disputes.
These underground “casinos” are typically ordinary homes in Oakland—occasionally even RVs—equipped with arcade-style slot machines. Most of these machines are imported from countries like Japan, China, or Korea and feature skill-based gambling games, including the popular “Fish Hunter” series. These venues are often colloquially known as “slap houses,” alluding to the sounds made by players hitting buttons rapidly.
Severe Assault Cases
In March, law enforcement arrested 33-year-old Wai “Weezy” Hoang, believed to be managing at least two illegal gambling establishments in the city. This arrest followed a plea deal from the previous year involving Hoang and two co-defendants in a violent assault on a patron at an illegal gambling venue.
The victim endured severe injuries, including significant blood loss, after being stripped and assaulted. Security footage from the location documented the attackers stomping on the victim’s head for six minutes, as noted in court records.
Additionally, Dao faces felony charges for evading police and unlawfully possessing body armor, with a criminal history comprising 14 felony offenses. He is currently detained at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, where bail is set at $350,000.