Poker Game Robbed By Gunmen, High Speed Chase Ensues
Two gunmen disguised with masks attacked an all-night poker game taking place at a North York social club November 22, robbing and beating the poker participants.
A high-speed chase ensued involving the robbers and the police, where the gunmen fired several shots at the authorities.
"If they're prepared to shoot at police, think what they're prepared to do to you," Toronto Staff-Sgt. Don Cole said. "That's just how dangerous armed robbers are, it's what they do."
No one was hurt from the gunfire, according to Cole.
Police reported that at 3:45 a.m. on the day of the crime, there were 18 people in attendance at the Thornhill Social Club, located at a unit in a strip mall on Finch Ave. W.
"They somehow got in the back door and they started firing a few shots into the ceiling with a handgun," Cole said.
"That got everybody's attention and they robbed them of their cash."
A police source let on that a 31 Division patrol sergeant made a move to pull over the silver 2006 Dodge SUV on the Hwy. 400 ramp to the 401. As the sergeant slid out of his cruiser to approach the other vehicle, a gunman opened fire. This signaled the high-speed chase.
"They got behind it and signaled for them to pull over but the driver refused and took off southbound on Dufferin," Cole said.
"(The officers) back right off because of course they're being shot at," Cole said. "We think they got off the 401 at Keele but we're not sure."
Private poker games are allowed by law in Ontario as long as the house does not charge a fee for the game or rake off part of the pot.
