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Card Game Busted By Blind Side Approach

By Eric Richardson
Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at 12:33PM
hustle Ed Fuentes

A shell game takes place on Broadway in 2006.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Hustles like shell games and three-card monte are fixtures on the sidewalks of Downtown, particularly along Broadway and in the Toy and Fashion districts. While the games are often easy to spot, good lookouts can make it hard for police to make an arrest.

Detectives Bryce Spafford and Mark Campbell yesterday morning arrested Leobardo Valencia, 67, who was dealing a three-card monte game in front of 533 S. Los Angeles. They were surprised he didn't see them coming, but it turns out they may have just happened on the right side.

"Usually these games have lookouts, but for whatever reason, they did not notice us walking up in our suits," Detective Spafford explained. "After we arrested Valencia we realized he had a glass eye. I guess we walked up on his blind side."

The two had spotted the game taking place while driving down the block.

According to police, Valencia has nearly 30 arrests and eight convictions for "theft by trick or device," the legal description of a three-card monte game.

While the hustles may seem like they only harm those foolish enough to waste their money on a fixed game, police say that they act as catalysts for more serious robberies and grand theft.

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Conversation

Guest 1

Guest on July 27, 2010, at 01:01PM – #1

"theft by trick or device"

that describes the heart of advertising


Guest 2

Guest on July 27, 2010, at 03:33PM – #2

This is the old-school hustle, people. The same hustle pulled on FOBs in New York City in the 19th century -- and in Europe in the 15th century.

It's illegal and it shouldn't happen. We're glad the guy got busted.

But respect the grand seedy history of this hustle. This is some dinosaur stuff. Olllllld-school.


User_32

Dixon on July 28, 2010, at 09:28AM – #3

I don't know anything about the three card game, but the shell game isn't so bad. That's where they put a little ball under one of three objects and mix them around.

I've stood and watched a number of times and I have always been able to follow the ball. I never play because I never gamble, but one of these days I just may go in and win big!


Guest 2

Guest on July 28, 2010, at 01:32PM – #4

You're joking, right?

There's a reason you can follow along before you put money down.

And the guy who won money in front of you is almost certainly a confederate.


Guest 3

Guest on July 28, 2010, at 04:16PM – #5

Yeah Fallen, it looks really easy, and they have sometimes "winners" that are actually accomplices, but once you put your money in, they pull out the slight of hand and make you "lose" no matter which one you pick. It's a 0% chance of winning scam.


User_32

Dixon on July 29, 2010, at 10:07AM – #6

.....but I've watched several games in a row and I've always been able to spot the winner. I suppose it could be a ruse to lure me into a winless game, but if so then they're letting lots of Broadway shoppers go away with money in order to get mine!

But fear not. I'll never play, just as I'll never ever put money into a slot machine.


Guest 4

Guest on July 31, 2010, at 01:41AM – #7

I've won. Then I walked away.


Guest 2

Guest on July 31, 2010, at 04:58PM – #8

Stop deleting my comments pointing out how fucking retarded these people are, you censorious fuckholes.


Guest 5

Guest on July 31, 2010, at 08:37PM – #9

8 is sweet. Please post more of your usual kind, thoughtful words.


Guest 6

Guest on August 01, 2010, at 11:43AM – #10

Our police force has time to bust petty card games?

Aren't the suckers who lose their dollar already being penalized for being dumb asses?

LAPD, you have some seriously illogical priorities.



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