| EPT Berlin was robbed |
| 03/06/2010 |
| Latest official statements say that 4-6 masked and heavily armed robbers entered Hyatt Hotel, EPT Berlin tournament hall, in broad daylight with an agenda to empty the cashier which supposedly contained 1,36 million euros. |
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07.03.10
At the moment the conclusion is that the robbers stole 240 000 euros - 1.36 million euros. Different sources say different numbers. Regular security guards are told to stand off when a robbery is taking place, unless it's a complete joke. One brave security guard from Kuhr Security fought the robbers unarmed! The security guard confirmed that robbers were armed with machetes and handguns(maybe fake). He threw them with whatever he could grab and eventually when they started running he took a metal pole, hit the last runner with it and grabbed him into a chokehold. He screamed for help and one hotel employee removed the bag with money from the robber. Only seconds later, after the caught robber screamed for help, other robbers returned in order to free their buddy. They succeeded and managed to run off with the loot. They left the premises through an emergency exit where they unmasked themselves and entered a heavily crowded mall. Here is an exclusive video of the situation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu2e7yiXXBY
German Police said that seven people were lightly injured while trying to flee the area. / Added 18:35
Security guards head and eye injury was caused by an earlier struggle with the robbers, not because of holding one of the robbers when they tried to escape. / Added 17:00
Police found DNA from the moneybag which was taken from the robber who was held by the brave security guard. Police believes that one of the robbers had to be inside watching the situation or had to know how the casino handles their money. Robbers hada 5 minute window once the registration was closed and cashier workers started moving money from their safe into the main safe. / Added 16:30
At the moment this is the most reliable info. When an official statement is released we will update this article accordingly!
All live updates will be left attached to this article for people to read different point of views and statements from various newspapers and civilians.
06.03.10 UPDATE:
Live feed was cancelled instantly when they understood that the casino is being robbed. Here are few last seconds before the feed was cancelled: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtfOf69-QPg
An italian blog wrote this(translated with Google Translate):
We come to the record, we were writing the double up of a player when we hear screaming in the hallway of the saloon, chaos, confusion, at first seemed the fight between a couple of players, but then we see faces covered, a couple of weapons in hands seemed rifles, starts stampede, panic takes over some players who come running screaming in the hall, creating panic in turn, becomes an earthquake the salon people do not know where to run, people being trampled, our colleague loses camera and trample a hand, in other words pure delusion. Meanwhile, in the check-in where these people came, they begin to take money in the meantime get the security men, began a scuffle, manage to catch a robber, and lock the sight of what the other accomplices went back and bring out what seem arms (do not know call them), manage to free him, wounding the guard in the head (one of the photos above). Fled out into the street, but inside the chaos reigns and the photos we made them give the picture ...
German site post(translated with Google Translate):
Police came after about ten minutes at the crime scene. First, only two police cars - rescue came. Only Mr Werthan was again in the play area, now it is closed to press. The players are waiting in the corridors and on the street. The mass hysteria was caused by the belief that it would be a massacre. This was reinforced by the fact because one of the perpetrators repeatedly shouted "We have a bomb."
In fact, the perpetrators were only interested in money. A security staff, it seems to have succeeded short-term, one of the culprits to overwhelm. But it seems that it is managed well this offender in the general chaos to escape.
Supposed to have the colleagues of Poker Today a part of the attack on video. We will publish the material as soon as possible. Jan Peter yacht man had much luck when he just walked up the aisle of the armed offenders stormed past him. Mr Mann yacht but escaped with a fright. According to unconfirmed reports the booty amounted to more than 800 000 €
06.03.10 UPDATE2:
This is the only official statement so far:
"An armed robbery by 5-6 men took place today at EPT Berlin. Nobody was seriously injured. We hope to restarrt all events at 4pm local time. A police investigation is underway. If you have video footage or photographs that could help the police, please contact the EPT organizers as soon as possible."
06.03.10 UPDATE3:
A little longer video before the live feed was killed: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfoTT_5bxWM
They are now saying that there are some reports of serious injuries but they are unconfirmed. Some people report seeing four robbers and some are saying six. Supposedly robbers used knifes and machetes.
06.03.10 UPDATE4:
Interviewed police official said: "They took some money but definitely nothing near 700 000 euros". The sum is dropping with every minute as it usually does. Italian Gazzetta.it reporter wrote:"Apparently the wife of a tournament director is under shock after having a gun pointed on her head." A german site wrote: "Up to 8 security guards have been injured by the robbers who were armed with kalashnikovs and hand grenades."
06.03.10 UPDATE5:
We have another report saying that the robbers used fire arms. This was witnessed by Claudia Sommerey. She saw three masked men armed with rifles. Bild.de has published a picture which clearly confirms at least one theory of what weapons the robbers used, knifes and machetes:
www.bild.de/BILD/news/2010/03/06/ueberfall-auf-poker-turnier/ueberfall-poker-turnier-15330093-mfbq,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=465.jpg
www.bild.de/BILD/Home/2010/03/06/a-poker__15330200-1267889279.jpg
06.03.10 UPDATE6:
Some info about tournaments:
The Ladies Event and the €1k have been cancelled because so many players unregistered. The PLO, High roller, €2k,€1.600 are all playing now and ofcourse, everyone is talking about what happened.
New picture link: www.bild.de/BILD/news/fotos/2010/03/06/ueberfall-auf-poker-turnier/ueberfall-grand-hyatt-berlin-poker-turnier-15330088-mfbq,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,height=349.jpg
06.03.10 UPDATE7:
New info about the tourneys:
1) By now, the redistribution of the player's chips based on the video footage of the tournament room is finished. The tournament will be continued until the end of next blind level.
2) A hand between Ilkka Tahkokallio and Luca Cainelli which could not be completed due to the robbery was continued with the agreement of Tahkokallio, who was underdog in the situtation. Luca Cainelli indeed won the hand and doubled up.
3) The women's tournament is being proceeded according to the will of the players.
07.03.10 UPDATE8:
Apparently the security guard that was holding on of the robbers, grabbed the bag of money from the robbers while they were fleeing. This explains the money on the floor. Then one of the robbers hit him on the head with a machete (head+eye injury) so that the robber he was holding could flee.
07.03.10 UPDATE9:
Video of the robbers and guards fighting: www.youtube.com/watch?v=47DlwB6Ih2s
At the start the robbed amount was believed to be over 5 million euros. But now it is said that they only got the cash from high-roller cash games. |
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