American mugged and robbed of $30,000 after the Aussie Millions

[Fonzi]

Young American poker player Jason Potter, 22, was targeted and robbed of his winnings at the Aussie Millions according to police.

The attack on Potter soured the internationally televised tournament, which ended yesterday with Russian Alexander Kostritsyn, 21, pocketing $1.6 million.

The heavy set poker pro from Oklahoma played well enough in the Aussie Millions to finish 31st, but made a poor decision by going to a McDonald's restaurant in the wee hours of the morning with his prize money.

Potter was walking back to his hotel room at Crown Plaza after feasting at McDonald's about 4.30am. "I had already been home to my hotel room but decided to go out and get something to eat because I was hungry," he said.

The knife-wielding assailent took off with the cash in Australian and US $100 bills.

Potter, who has made several hundred thousand dollars on the poker circuit, said he wished he had picked up his winnings as a cheque rather than in cash.

"I heard someone running resolutely behind me. As I turned around I just got knocked on the back of the head. I fell down and this guy reached immediately into my hooded pocket," he said.

Potter believes his attacker may have been a spectator at the poker tournament at the casino earlier in the day.

Potter dropped out of a political science degree to play poker professionally, he has won about $300,000 in 12 months. He was stunned and shaken after the robbery but not injured. "I thought about trying to fight him but I thought no amount of money is worth it," he said.

[Calmplay]

I was surprised to see a such performance from him at Aussie, he almost cashed every event including the Main Event but sad to hear that.

[YellowRoses]

That is sad, but you never know who is watching. Sure he learned a valuable lesson.

[ToxicThinkTank]

I think you guys are going a little easy on this guy... A valuable lesson? I hope that he learned not to walk down the street with more than $1,000 cash on you when it's known to the public. People might not murder you for less than a grand, but surely there's someone crazy enough to do it for more than that. If I had $30,000 on me and I wasn't smart enough to research before the tourney and be prepared, I'd probably truck my ass to the U.S. Embassy to find out what the best thing for me to do is, and pray that someone there doesn't want to rip me off. I don't even think I'd go to the local authorities. This sounds like a big fat lesson in common f'ing sense to me.

[Fonzi]

Clipped from the heraldsun.com.au

TWO men who allegedly robbed an American poker player of more than $30,000 appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates court today.
Dwayne Johnstone, 32, of St Albans, faced five charges including armed robbery, assault and drug possession.

Vhyharn Arumughasamy, 26, of Wheelers Hill, was charged with one count of armed robbery.

They did not apply for bail.

The men allegedly attacked poker player Jason Potter, 22, of Oklahoma, as he was walking home after he cashed in his chips at the Crown Casino on January 21.

Potter, who was placed 31st in a field of 780 in the Aussie Millions Poker Championship, was walking on Spencer Street bridge when he was hit from behind about 4.30am.

His attackers, who were armed with knives, allegedly grabbed $31,075 worth of American and Australian banknotes from his jumper pocket.

Melbourne detectives executed two search warrants yesterday and arrested Johnstone and Arumughasamy last night.

always good news when they catch the thugs!

[chico219]

Originally Posted by Fonzi

Young American poker player Jason Potter, 22, was targeted and robbed of his winnings at the Aussie Millions according to police.

The attack on Potter soured the internationally televised tournament, which ended yesterday with Russian Alexander Kostritsyn, 21, pocketing $1.6 million.

The heavy set poker pro from Oklahoma played well enough in the Aussie Millions to finish 31st, but made a poor decision by going to a McDonald's restaurant in the wee hours of the morning with his prize money.

Potter was walking back to his hotel room at Crown Plaza after feasting at McDonald's about 4.30am. "I had already been home to my hotel room but decided to go out and get something to eat because I was hungry," he said.

The knife-wielding assailent took off with the cash in Australian and US $100 bills.

Potter, who has made several hundred thousand dollars on the poker circuit, said he wished he had picked up his winnings as a cheque rather than in cash.

"I heard someone running resolutely behind me. As I turned around I just got knocked on the back of the head. I fell down and this guy reached immediately into my hooded pocket," he said.

Potter believes his attacker may have been a spectator at the poker tournament at the casino earlier in the day.

Potter dropped out of a political science degree to play poker professionally, he has won about $300,000 in 12 months. He was stunned and shaken after the robbery but not injured. "I thought about trying to fight him but I thought no amount of money is worth it," he said.

sounds like he was certainly stalking the kid at the event ...people like that should be locked up for good!!!!!!!