The brother of a Las Vegas police officer accused of a series of casino heists told a court the alleged robber was desperate for money after racking up gambling debts.

Caleb Rogers, 35, is accused of stealing almost $165,000 in a trio of raids over four months at casinos off the Las Vegas Strip, beginning in November 2021.

In at least one of the robberies he was armed with a weapon issued by the police department, prosecutors said.

Caleb Rogers is accused of stealing almost $165,000 in a trio of raids over four months

LAS VEGAS POLICE DEPARTMENT/AP

Rogers was detained after a brief struggle after he allegedly stole $79,000 from the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in February 2022.

His lawyers say the evidence tying him to the first two robberies is weak and have accused prosecutors of pressuring his brother to identify him