Police in Quebec say they've recovered about half of the $115,000 stolen from a Canadian poker champion in a home invasion late last year.
Jonathan Duhamel, who won US$8.9 million at the 2010 World Series of Poker, was robbed and beaten after thieves broke into his condo last December.
Officers said they recovered part of the poker star's stolen cash on Jan. 6, shortly after an anonymous tipster told them it had been stashed in a mailbox in Old Longueuil.
Police said they rushed to the location, about eight kilometres northeast of Montreal, and found nearly half of the amount taken in the same denominations and currency as the stolen money.
The discovery comes as four people, including Duhamel's ex-girlfriend Bianca Rojas-Latraverse, face several charges in relation to the home invasion.
The charges against the four include robbery, assault, kidnapping and conspiracy.
Duhamel told The Canadian Press last December that he initially thought his home invaders were couriers who had come to deliver Christmas gifts he had ordered.
He said that when he cracked open his door, the assailants barged into his home and beat him until he agreed to open his personal safe. Duhamel said the thieves appeared to know where the money in his home was.
The burglars made off with $40,000 in Canadian currency, 74,000 euros, a Rolex watch and bracelet worth $40,000.
Rojas-Latraverse, 20, has pleaded not guilty to five charges related to the robbery.
She and two others have been denied bail while the fourth accused has been freed for the duration of the trial and is expected to face charges in May.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21.
With files from CTV Montreal
