Just two days after professional poker player Jared Griener finished the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event in 218th place, pocketing $57,500, he reported being attacked at his rental apartment, restrained, and robbed of his cash.
In several updates on X, Griener, who hails from Huntington Beach, California, recounted how he returned to his rental property around 8 p.m. on Sunday evening, just after claiming his WSOP prize. However, two men were already inside, waiting for him.
“Upon returning to my Airbnb a few hours ago, I found two men waiting for me. They tackled me to the ground and threatened to kill me if I made any move,” Griener stated, having amassed over $3 million in tournament earnings as per The Hendon Mob Database.
Deadly Threats
The intruders demanded to know the location of Griener’s backpack, again making lethal threats if he didn’t comply. Griener told them he had left it in his car and pleaded for them to take whatever they wanted.
The men then forced him into the living room, binding his hands and feet with duct tape. They placed kitchen dishes on his back and warned him they would hear any movements he made while they searched the apartment.
Realizing the robbers had left, Griener managed to free himself by slipping off his shoes and loosening the tape. He then hurried to a neighbor’s residence to call 911.
Griener suspects that the men may have tracked him after he cashed his winnings at the WSOP, hosted at the adjoining Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas.
“It’s probable that someone was watching me during @wsop and knew I was heading home with cash,” he noted.
Inside Knowledge?
Concerningly, the assailants seemed to be aware of both the code to the Airbnb door and Griener’s schedule. Surveillance footage from neighbors showed the suspects arriving roughly 10 minutes before he got back.
Griener stated that his call to 911 resulted in a significant police presence, including crime scene investigators and a helicopter search for the suspects. He reported being unharmed but deeply traumatized by the alarming incident.
His posts garnered significant attention within the poker community, leading many to express their support while urging players to be cautious when handling cash post-tournaments. However, some users voiced skepticism regarding certain elements of his narrative.