Bank Robber Apprehended at the Oaks Club

Larry Thomas, casino manager for the Oaks Club, was reading the news last week when a story caught his eye: a bank robber believed responsible for a rash of eight robberies in Northern California had had his picture taken by a bank's surveillance cameras. The robber wore a distinctive black Oakland Athletics baseball cap.

One of the essential skills of a casino manager is to recognize customers, old and new alike. Larry recognized the person in the bank photo as a player at the Oaks Club, one who had been playing $2-$4 and $3-$6 hold'em, but recently made the move up into the $15-$30 game.

Larry checked the video monitor of the camera covering Table 18. Yes, there he was, the same guy, wearing the same black A's cap. Larry called the Emeryville Police Department. The cops arrived, cuffed the suspect, and took him away. local television station KTVU identifies him as Tommy Joe Neal, arrested for a parole violation and wanted in connection with eight recent bank robberies.

Turns out, I've played with the guy. Not a very good player; took too many chances.

(via Spencer Sun)