HICKSVILLE, N.Y. (WPIX)—
Nassau County police say three people kicked down a door to an alleged illegal gambling joint in an attempted robbery early Friday morning.Police arrived at a commercial building 108A New South Road in Hicksville with K-9 units and a helicopter scanning the roof with infrared cameras to search for the suspects.
Reports say players were buzzed in and congregated in a backroom. They also needed to pay a subscribers fee in exchange for gambling chips.
"We were just playing cards," one player told PIX News.
It appears the robbers knew that it was a gambling spot and targeted the backroom, where the money is stored.
But they left empty handed when they could not enter the room.
Early reports said 15 people were being held hostage in the building, but it is now believed the alleged hostages were the gamblers in the backroom.
The players left the building after being question by police on the scene.
Police are still searching for the three suspects. No arrests have been made.
