Armed robbers take top money at N.Y. poker tournament

Armed bandits walked away with the biggest pot at a charity Texas Hold'em tournament in Franklin Square, N.Y. this weekend - $50,000 worth of prize money and stolen personal property.

At about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, four masked people entered the local Veterans of Foreign Wars hall where the fundraiser was underway. Armed with handguns, the robbers demanded the 80 guests turn over their wallets and cell phones, as well as the evening's prize money.

No one was hurt in the incident, and the gunmen slipped out the back door with their stash. Police are now looking for four people between 20 to 25 years of age and about 5'7" in height. On the night of the robbery they were wearing dark clothing.

The poker tournament is a regular event in the community, put on by a group called All American Poker. Designed to raise money for the veteran's hall, the tournament offers $130 blinds, $30 of which goes toward maintaining the structure. The evening's pot was a guaranteed $3,000.

News Added: 20 November, 2006

Number of views : 833