Crime & Safety

Social Media Leads to Poker Robbery Arrest

Bryan Lisio was charged with beating up a 64-year-old man and stealing $80.

A tip to the Crimeline for the Hamptons led to the arrest of a local man who allegedly beat up a 64-year-old man over $80 at The Poker Room in Hampton Falls.

Bryan Lisio, 26, of Hampton, was arrested earlier this month and charged with armed robbery and two counts of assault for the Jan. 31 incident.

Police said Lisio waited in the parking lot of The Poker Room as the 64-year-old man got out of his car. Lisio—armed with a handgun—attacked the man, beating him over the head, strangling him, and demanding money, according to court papers. During the struggle, the victim said he heard Lisio's weapon go off at least four times. The victim said he told Lisio he was having a heart attack in an attempt to stop the beating.

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Lisio then took $80 that the man had in his wallet, police said.

After the robbery, police provided a photo of a hat found on the scene—believed to belong to the suspect. The photo was posted on the Crimeline for the Hamptons’ Facebook page, other social media sites, and local media outlets. A man who recognizing the hat then called in a tip that led to Lisio's arrest, police said.

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"We helped get the information about the suspect out to the public," said Karin Breen, chair of Crimeline for the Hamptons.

Lisio is currently being held on $50,000 bail. The victim has been recovering from his injuries.

The Poker Room partners with local charities and has given away $6.3 million in proceeds to more than 100 local nonprofits in the last decade, according to its website.

Frank Valgenti, director of marketing for The Poker Room, said he's glad the suspect in the case was caught.

"This was something we never want to see happen again," he said.

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