2 Suspected of Trying to Rob Poker Champ Are Arrested

DEL MAR, Calif. —  Two men suspected of trying to rob World Series of Poker champion Greg Raymer in Las Vegas last year were arrested Sunday at a gun show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, authorities said.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous tip Sunday afternoon that Kevin R. Joy, 35, and Deem Cassim, 31, were selling toy helicopters at the show.

The pair are accused of trying to rob Raymer as he returned to his room after playing poker at the Bellagio Hotel on Dec. 20.

Raymer, a soft-spoken 40-year-old from Stonington, Conn., who weighs more than 300 pounds, fought off the two men as they tried to shove him into his room, not giving up his money even after one pulled a gun, police said. The two men fled and were later identified on security video by police.

When approached by authorities Sunday, Joy and Cassim gave false names and claimed to have no identification, but gave up without a struggle, sheriff’s Cpl. Dan Murtaugh said.

They were booked on outstanding felony warrants and were awaiting extradition to Las Vegas.

Raymer, known as the “Fossilman” in poker circles, won the World Series of Poker Texas Hold ‘Em title and $5 million in cash last May.

On a poker message board at the time of the robbery, Raymer wrote: “I don’t write this to brag, I just want any robbery-minded people out there who hear about this to know that I’m a tough mark, and they won’t get that much off me even if they succeed.”