Police arrest suspected initiator of brazen poker heist in Berlin

Suspected poker heist initiator arrested

BERLIN — Police have arrested a man German authorities suspect of initiating a brazen raid on a poker tournament in Berlin nearly three months ago.

Berlin police and prosecutors said the 31-year-old — identified only as Mohammed Abou-C. in line with German privacy laws — was arrested early Friday as he was driving through the capital.

An arrest warrant for the man was issued on Thursday.

Authorities say attackers armed with a revolver and a machete stormed the poker tournament at a downtown hotel March 6 and made off with €242,000 ($298,000) in jackpot money.

Five people — the four suspected attackers and a man believed to have organized the heist — were arrested in March.