Charity Poker Event Marred by Robbery

Poker has become a popular vehicle for charity programs, with tournaments raising millions of dollars each year for various good causes around the world. But that goodwill turned to disaster Thursday, when a charity event in Norton Shores, Michigan became the target of an armed robbery.

The event, which was designed to help raise money for the American Red Cross, began at 6 pm with dozens of players participating at several Texas Hold’em tables. The game was a success, with around 40 players still playing around 1 am in the morning at the Bob Hi Lanes.

That’s when two men, dressed in black and wearing masks, walked into the building wielding guns. At first, most people thought the situation was a joke, including event chairman Joe Rudicil.

“When they first walked in, we kind of looked at them and kind of laughed in disbelief,” Rudicil told The Muskegon Chronicle. “We thought it was someone trying to play a joke on us.”

But it quickly became apparent that the situation was not a joke. One of the businesses employees was “pistol-whipped,” and then the robbers moved directly for the cash, which was handled by Rudicil. With a gun to his head, Rudicil feared for his life as the robbers empted the cash box.

“I had my hand in front of my face,” Rudicil said. “When you read the paper every day...you know that they just shoot. They don’t care who they shoot.”

According to Norton Shores police, no suspects have been identified, and the case remains under investigation. Police are examining surveillance tapes from the building in the hopes of getting more information to go on in the search for the robbers.

Thankfully, nobody was seriously injured during the robbery. But for Rudicil, it’s an event he may never forget.

 “I’m still kind of shaking right now,” he said.