Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe MANASSAS, Va., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Police across the United States say private homes are ripe for robbery given the sharp rise in the popularity of poker, a report said. In two weeks, Doug Thomas of Manassas, Va., had his Texas Hold 'Em game interrupted -- the first time by robbers and the second time by police. Advertisement "When we figured out it was the cops, there was a sense of relief," the mortgage broker told The Washington Post. Police say calls about private poker parties have increased steadily in the past 18 months. "Throw in there just one person wanting to capitalize on the money, and you are going to end up with a robbery or shooting or something," said Lt. Rich Perez of the Fairfax County, Va., police. Some players hired security to guard the games, but even that has not proved entirely safe. In one recent poker party robbery, two off-duty police officers were charged. "Just because we got guns pointed at our heads, doesn't mean we stop," said Thomas, who faces a March court date on gambling charges.
