wow, just like the sopranos episode: POKER GAME ROBBERY IN NY STATE

[clevfan]

www.capitalnews9.com


Victims Fight Back
6/17/2004 9:07 PM
By: Jessica Schneider
A weekly game of Texas Hold 'Em at a Rotterdam home on Hamburg Street turned dangerous when two masked men burst into the makeshift gambling spot and demanded all the loot.

Just a few hours into a long night of card playing, three men pulled up in front of the makeshift poker spot, readied their 22-caliber gun and stormed inside.

"The suspects knew that there would be a card game going on, targeted them specifically in an attempt to steal the cash," said Rotterdam Police Lieutenant Bill Manikas.

One of the men playing in the game said the two masked men who burst through that door knew exactly what they were doing. They took thousands from the dealer, going to the exact spot where the money was stashed. They then ran outside, put the money in the car and ran back in. They said they knew there was more money somewhere and they would kill if they had to.

The poker players wrestled the two young men to the ground and held them there until cops showed up. The driver of the get-away car ditched the loot and the vehicle along Fasula Blvd...and then took off by foot.

"There was certainly a struggle, a fight. A shot was fired. One of the participants in the card game was actually shot in the elbow," said Lt. Manikas.

The injured man was treated at St. Clare's Hospital and released.

"This group of gentlemen, did in fact take the opportunity when the man turned his back and it worked out successfully for them, one minor injury," said Lt. Manikas.

Cops later caught up with the driver and charged all three men with robbery. As for the dozen card-sharks...police say they're all clear.

"We're looking into any instances of gambling. At this point, we have no indication this was anything more than a card game amongst friends," Lt.Manikas.

The three robbery suspects are currently being held in the Schenectady County Jail without bail. Police say the three could also be charged with drug possession after finding narcotics in the getaway car.