By Brian Zanzonico
According to detectives, four armed black men wearing ski masks described as between 25 and 30 years old, about 5-foot-7 and wearing dark clothing entered the rear door of the VFW Frank P. Curry Jr. Post No. 2718, on Lincoln Road. With about 80 people attending a fund-raiser, the men demanded cash from the Texas Hold 'Em tournament pot, and wallets and purses from the players. No one was injured.
Organized by All American Poker, which hosts several fund-raisers at the VFW hall each year, the event was publicized on the Internet. Players paid a $100 entry fee, plus a $30 donation to the VFW post, according to an online advertisement. The All American Poker contact, listed on the Web page only as Elliott, did not return calls.
Calls to the VFW hall were not returned. Lincoln Road neighbors, however, said they were shocked when they heard the popular spot was the scene of a crime.
"Things like that just don't happen around here," said a neighbor, who asked not to be identified. "I'm glad nobody was hurt."
One resident who was home during the robbery said people who were inside during the hold up appeared shaken as they stood outside the hall during a police investigation.
"You go out to have a good time and something freaky like this happens," said the resident, requesting anonymity.
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