Missoula investigators believe they've cracked a year and a half old casino robbery.

The county sheriff's department arrested a 31-year-old St. Ignatius man.

He's accused of stealing $9,000 at gunpoint.

It happened at the Grey Wolf Casino in Evaro in 2011.

A man entered the isolated establishment off Highway 93 North shortly after 1 a.m., pointed a handgun at the attendant, and took the money.

David Whaley appeared in Missoula Justice court on robbery charges Thursday afternoon.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for his St. Ignatius home Wednesday,and arrested the self-employed contractor there.

Although Whaley denied ever owning a handgun, a court affidavit reports the search revealed handgun ammunition and a pawnshop card.

The report said pawnshop records showed Whaley bought a handgun matching the description of the one used in the robbery.

Judge John Odlin set bail at $50,000.

Whaley told the court he can hire his own attorney.