This Monday, a 35-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the theft of $13,000 worth of casino chips from Encore Boston Harbor.

According to Boston TV station WCVB, Gary Hunt of Massachusetts was charged with theft from a structure and theft exceeding $1,200.

On Wednesday, he was arraigned in Malden District Court. He was told not to go back to the casino in Everett, Massachusetts. Next up for him is a court appearance on September 16.

According to Massachusetts state police, the incident started at six o'clock on Tuesday as Hunt was seated at a gaming table without actually playing any games.

He would not stop getting out of the chair and sitting back down. Witnesses claimed to have seen him use his cell phone as well.

Abruptly, Hunt announced that a player had just won a jackpot, startling everyone in his vicinity. According to authorities, Hunt allegedly snatched 13 orange $1K chips from a dealer's tray while other people attempted to see the winner.

He bolted off the casino floor, heading for the nearest emergency escape.

Chips Discovered While Hunting

Hunt was located in a neighboring parking lot after police pursued him. According to authorities, he carried a large number of the missing casino chips.

Another chip was discovered outside the establishment. According to CBS News, Hunt placed two of the chips in a sneaker before taking them out.

A relative informed WCVB in a report that Hunt has been battling an addiction.

"We are deeply saddened by the recent events involving our eldest son, Gary, which occurred within the context of his longtime mental health and addiction struggles,” former Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, the suspect’s mother, said in a statement.

“The path to recovery is not perfect and he understands the graveness of this lapse. Our three sons have all been provided the love and care needed for a healthy life. This matter is a reflection of nature rather than nurture, as our three sons were raised with equal love and support. Gary is a graduate from an acclaimed university and his two brothers have gone on to achieve academic and professional success.”

Facing Struggles

“Although we have continued to provide support and guidance, he has not been able to overcome his struggles. No family is exempt from these challenges and they are not unique to our family,” she added. “Our family denounces this form of behavior while recognizing it as an unfortunate complexity of the human body.”

Baldelli-Hunt announced her resignation from the mayoralty last year, citing personal and health concerns.

According to GoLocalProv.com, a local news outlet, police enforcement recently received a report regarding a land sale connected to the former mayor.