Home robbery in Henderson, Nevada
Police have arrested and charged suspect Brock Brewer over the theft of about $1m in poker chips and cash from professional poker player Chad Power in Henderson, Nevada.
The victim outlined to police how, on February 10, two men broke into his home and stole a safe containing poker chips and cash. Power believed that the robbers had followed him from a Las Vegas Strip casino to his home in Henderson, where they waited for him to leave before entering the residence.
two men broke into his home and stole a safe containing poker chips and cash
Power had left to go play poker when he received a home security system alert. Upon his return, the intruders were no longer at his home. Surveillance footage showed two men leaving the residence, with their faces sufficiently visible to identify.
One of the men carried the safe on his shoulder, with police later identifying this man as their arrested suspect. According to the police report, the victim stated that about $750,000 worth of cash in $100 denominations and “mostly organized into $50,000 bricks” was in the safe. There was also approximately $250,000 worth of poker chips.
Identifying the suspect
To identify a suspect for the February theft, police viewed surveillance footage and looked at previous crimes that saw pro poker players fall victims to robberies.
Officers discovered a 2006 incident for which Brock Brewer had gone to prison. In this case, the poker player had $15,000 in chips and cash stolen from him. The now 32-year-old Brewer was a match for the recent crime after the authorities compared surveillance footage from both robberies. Police officers also obtained phone records which showed that Brewer was near the scene of the crime on February 10.
Officers discovered a 2006 incident for which Brock Brewer had gone to prison.
The accused already has previous felony convictions for conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and attempted battery. Police believe he is a gang member.
The authorities tracked down an address for Brewer and were able to link at least two new cars to him. The vehicles were a 2018 Maserati Levante SUV and a 2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat. They were bought with cash shortly after the robbery, and their registrations were in the name of Brewer’s mother. Police secured a search warrant and seized three vehicles, firearms, and ammunition.
Brewer’s arrest took place on Tuesday, during which the suspect reportedly invoked his right to remain silent. Police have also identified the other man involved in the robbery, whom they have not yet arrested or charged.
Brewer is now looking at charges of burglary, conspiracy to commit home invasion, home invasion, possession of a gun by a prohibited person, and theft of more than $100,000. He is currently at the Clark County Detention Center awaiting a June 1 court date. The suspect’s bond is set at $200,000.
A precarious profession
It is unclear whether Chad Power will be able to recover any of the stolen chips and cash, but he may likely get something back from the seized cars. That would still be just a small portion of what the robbers stole.
Many other pro poker players have suffered similar unfortunate incidents during their careers. The legendary Doyle Brunson was subject to numerous robberies during his career, including a home invasion in 1998 where he also got beaten up. In 2012, robbers shot WSOP bracelet winner Theo Jørgensen three times in the leg during a home invasion. The 2012 WSOP Big One for One Drop winner Antonio Esfandiari also had about $1m in valuables stolen from his home in 2020. Police arrested his father’s former girlfriend last August over the theft.
