SAN ANTONIO -- Police arrested three men who robbed 15 poker players early Thursday at a home on the city's northwest side.

The poker players were in the middle of a high-stakes game when the men, who were armed and wearing black hooded sweatshirts, got inside the home in the 6300 block of Maverick Oak and robbed the group, police said.

While the robbers stuffed money and credit cards into pillow cases, one of the poker players was able to dial a cell phone operator, who heard the commotion and transferred the call to police.

"While the officers ... were responding, they were still monitoring the calls and they could hear the demands being made of people inside the house," said Capt. Mike Gorhum of the San Antonio Police Department.

When police arrived at the home, they surrounded the residence and waited for the robbers, Gorhum said.

The robbers tried to run out a back door, but were captured and arrested, Gorhum said.

According to a police report, the homeowner told officers at the scene that one of the players unlocked the front door prior to the robbery.

A neighbor who didn't want to be identified said the incident was not the first time that police have been to the home, but he hopes it's the last.

"I don't wish the family any ill harm. I just wish better choices will be made," the neighbor said.