Police cracks down illegal gambling businesses in San Jose

The San Jose police have arrested five persons and seised 64 video gaming machines and about $355,000 in cash in their latest crack down of illegal gambling racket.

Over the past few months, San Jose police and other law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to curb illegal gambling activities. The latest culprits were a store front presenting itself as a computer repair business and another shop seemingly functioning as a hair and nail salon.

“When you get inside these businesses and get past the partitions, they are full-blown gambling operations,” Messier said.

Over the past year, San Jose has experienced an increase in crime surrounding businesses that house illegal gaming operations, police said. The most recent crackdown was a response to complaints from residents and businesses and to a series of calls for service ranging from quality of life issues to violent crimes such as robberies and assaults connected to them.

Police said many of the businesses targeted “have had a particularly adverse impact on San Jose’s Vietnamese community.”

The most recent sweep happened last week when officers from the California Department of Justice served search warrants in the 900 block of Story Road and the 2000 block of Million Court, and a penal code inspection in the 2000 block of Monterey Road.

The Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control seised 13 illegal gambling devices and $280,566.00 in cash, which police believe to be proceeds from the games. Those cases remain under active investigation, and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is still evaluating charges, Messier said.

Earlier this year, San Jose police targeted five businesses in various locations across the city, including the 2100 block of Morrill Avenue, the 100 Block of Senter Road, the 1700 block of McKee Road, the 90th block of N.14th Street and the 2600 block of Cropley Avenue.

At those locations, 51 gambling machines, about $75,000 in cash was seised and five business owners and employees were arrested on suspicion of possession of illegal gambling machines and other gambling-related offenses.

Source: mercurynews.com