FOSSILMAN FOILS ROBBERS

Greg ‘Fossilman’ Raymer can not only play world class poker: but, he apparently is a respectable street brawler. While he was in Las Vegas for the Bellagio’s Five Diamonds World Poker Classic he found himself alone on the twentieth floor outside his room with two gun toting bad guys wanting the one or two thousand cash in his pocket. They distracted him by pounded on the door to the room next to his and complaining about a misplaced key; when he opened his door to check out the problem they tried to force Greg back into his room. The 2004 World Series of Poker Champion called upon his lawyer learned, poker sharpened skills of observation; then quickly decided he would take his best shot in the corridor. He shoved the larger of the two to the floor, then the smaller guy pulled out a gun and demanded the money. A surprised Raymer then watched the guy on the floor get up, then he and the second would-be robber with the gun decided to retreat, walking past two hotel security people responding to Greg’s shouting. The Bellagio’s surveillance then watched the two leave the hotel and drive away in their car. Raymer identified them from photos and hotel security then completed the ID from the surveillace video and after connecting them with an incidence earlier in the evening. They had been playing in the Bellagio’s poker room. Las Vegas police continue to search the city for the two.

Greg said he believed the robbers would have harmed him had he allowed them to force nim back him into his room. He said they made no effort to hide their identities so he believed they planned to rob and then kill him. He also indicated he is rethinking his personnel safety. Since winning the 2004 WSOP Championship and $5 million he has been an easily approached public figure, never turning away an autograph seeking fan, but now that will probably change.

Las Vegas Metro Police have made a positive ID of the two suspects. They are Kevin R. Joy, 35, and Deem Cassim, 31, who metro believes tried to rob 2004 WSOP Champion, Greg Raymer, outside his room at the Bellagio. Police described Joy as 6′ 2″, 240 pounds with a bald head and green eyes. Cassim is described as 5′ 8″ 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. they were last seen driving away from the Bellagio in a late model Nissan with Nevada plates that may contain the numbers 135. If you have any information call metro at 702.229.3591 or Crime Stoppers at 702.385.5555. You may be eligible for a cash reward.