After a week of investigation, four people have been arrested in connection with the attack on 2010 World Series of Poker Championship Event winner Jonathan Duhamel last week, where the former World Champion was tied up, beaten and property and money was stolen from him.
According to CBC News, one of the people involved in the robbery, which police determined had been a targeted attack, was actually a former female acquaintance of Jonathan. Constable Mark David of the Longueuil Police Department reported to CBC News that, “Investigators received information from the public and, with this information, were able to arrest a 20-year old woman Saturday night (December 23).”
Further clarification from the agent of Duhamel brought out the connection with this particular suspect. Phillipe Jette is reported to have told the CBC that the woman, identified by CJAD 800 radio as Bianca Rojas-Latraverse, was someone who Duhamel had dated “for a short period” and is the only person among the four suspects that have been arrested for the crime that had any personal connection to Jonathan.
Rojas-Latraverse has been charged with five assorted offenses, including conspiracy, according to the CBC.
On Monday, two men were arrested in Pointe-Claire, apparently in connection with the case. The two men, 22 year old John Stephen Clark Lemay and 26 year old Andre Perron, appeared in court on Wednesday and were charged with breaking and entering, robbery, assault and forcible confinement. A fourth suspect, 20 year old Anthony Bourque, is currently under investigation as authorities look to determine who was responsible for what during the break in.
If you recall, the authorities in Longueuil last week reported that two men allegedly went to a home in Boucherville at 9:15 in the morning on December 21 and simply rang the doorbell. Upon gaining entry, two men allegedly assaulted what police identified at the time as “a person” before leaving the home. After further details leaked out, it was determined that it was Jonathan’s home that had been the target of the attack, that Jonathan was the person who was beaten, and that some property had been stolen.
After the attack, Jonathan issued a statement where he recounted his travails at the hands of the thieves. After tying up Duhamel and beating him, the culprits absconded with some cash and two of his most valued treasures, his WSOP Champion’s bracelet and a Rolex Submariner watch given to him by PokerStars to commemorate his achievement. It turns out that the Rolex was a key to the arrests over the course of this week.
Investigators have found the Rolex, which has a retail value of around $5000, but did not indicate where it was discovered. As to Jonathan’s WSOP bracelet, it is still missing and, as a one of a kind item, will be difficult for someone to either buy or pawn. Jonathan has offered a reward of $10,000 for information on or the return of the property, although authorities stated that they didn’t know if anyone had claimed the reward for the watch’s return.
Following last week’s attack, Jonathan has been recovering from his assorted injuries. Although none were reported to be serious, Jonathan said in his statement that he “feared for his life.” After a trip to the hospital last week, Jonathan said that he was “black and blue all over but no broken bones, no blood clots, nothing to worry about.” He continues to recover in Canada and looks to hit the tournament poker circuit once it resumes in January.
Doesn’t make sense that they had to beat him-makes the crime that much worse. Seems to be class guy not deserving.