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Bizarre Poker Game Robbery Involved Suspect In Horse Mask, Wooden Paddle

By Tom Mustin

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Boulder police are investigating a bizarre home robbery. It involved a poker game, a man in a horse mask, and an armed accomplice.

David Bayless still feels violated after the violent robbery at his Boulder home.

"I'm mad more than shocked. How could someone do this?" Bayless asked CBS4's Tom Mustin.

Last Wednesday, Bayless had been hosting his weekly poker game for several of his friends.

"We have no profit. A social game. Fun, friendly social game," he said.

Around 11 p.m. his home surveillance camera captured a man barging into the home wearing a dark hoodie and a horse mask, and carrying a wooden paddle. Another man, armed with a gun. yelled for the players to put their hands up while the horse-masked man steals the pot of $3,500.

Poker Game Robbery
(credit: Boulder Police Department)

"This is my house. Someone intruded my property," Bayless said.

He said his poker games have evolved from a small group of friends, to a larger game that includes some outsiders. He believes the crime was an inside job.

"They say, 'Wow, there's some money in this game. Do I hold up a 7-Eleven or do I hold up Dave's poker game?'"

HORSE HEAD ROBBERY Poker Game Robbery
(credit: CBS)
HORSE HEAD ROBBERY Poker Game Robbery
(credit: CBS)
HORSE HEAD ROBBERY Poker Game Robbery
(credit: CBS)

The crime has shaken Bayless so much that he's postponed his poker games indefinitely. He also said he wasn't impressed by the crooks, especially after they left behind the wooden paddle.

"These guys are idiots. They're amateurs. Not professionals by any means."

And when it comes to catching the brazen thieves, Bayless is all in.

"So much want them caught I couldn't express it."

The horse-masked suspect is described as being between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9 inches and weighs between 215 to 220 pounds.

Poker Game Robbery
(credit: Boulder Police Department)

Boulder Police say the gunman is described as a Hispanic male with short hair, between 5-foot-9 and 5-foot-11 and weighs 160 to 180 pounds.

Additional Information From The Boulder Police Department

Anyone who may have additional information on this case should call Detective Heather Frey at 303-441-3369. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips may also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website at crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.

Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.

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