A robbery at a home poker game on Long Island, New York, Sunday night left a man shot and the robbers making off with cash, cell phones and jewelry.
As the masked intruders were leaving the home around 11:40 p.m., a man who entered the home was shot, according to Suffolk County police. The 38-year-old victim was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive, police said.
“As the men were exiting the home through a side door, they encountered a man who was about to enter the home,” police said. “The thief shot him twice with his gun.”
Details about the crime
Neighbors told NY News 12 that the house was known to regularly host poker games. There were 11 people in attendance at the game on Sunday evening. Police say two suspects held those inside at gunpoint while they were collecting the stolen items.
The suspects have not been identified and police are unsure if the home was targeted over a poker game. Officers responded to another home burglary during a poker game in 2010 as well, according to reports.
In this case, two teens used knives and a shotgun to burglarize the property. Because the case involves minors, this case is closed, but the police He pointed out that the crimes are similar.
“It was a very similar incident. There were two suspects involved. They entered the home. The proceeds were similar,” said Suffolk County Police Detective Lt. Anthony Calandrello. Newsday. “So we will certainly take a look at that incident. At this point, I can’t say it’s connected; we haven’t looked into it closely yet. “But it’s the same house, the same homeowner – we have a similar situation in relation to the card game going on in the room. “
Home games in New York are only legal if no rake is taken. Card rooms are legal, but are located in upstate casinos. Other legal chambers are located in nearby Atlantic City, as well as Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods in Connecticut.
New York is currently considering adding legal online poker.
