Eight arrested in Houston County for commercial gambling

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Warner Robins Police Department, the Centerville Police Department, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Revenue, in cooperation with the Georgia Lottery Corporation, executed 14 search warrants on Friday at businesses and residences in Warner Robins and Centerville for violations of Georgia’s gambling laws.

Eight people were arrested on felony warrants for commercial gambling by the GBI. Seven of the eight arrested were from Warner Robins: Shirley Mitchell, 53; Jagruti D. Patel, 37; Hinaben D. Patel, 34; Hargovindbhai Patel, 73; Zenaida M. Maston, 69; Craig Lucky, 42; and Andrew Jason Hickey, 27.

Also arrested was Rose E. Khalil of Byron.

The GBI conducted search warrants at Dev’s Gifts & Games, 1220 Russell Pkwy.; Dev’s Food Mart, 413 Belmont Dr.; DJ’s Gifts & Games, 789 Hwy. 96; Ignite Bar and Grill, 1281 S. Houston Lake Road; Consignment Shop, 1760 Watson Blvd.; Elberta Flowers, 2018 Elberta Road; Express Stop #2, 914 Russell Pkwy.; Right Fuel, 2403 Watson Blvd.; and residences at 301 Corder Road, Apt. 113, 201 Featherstone and 100 Robins West Parkway, Apt. 307.

Warrants were executed at two Centerville locations: Dev’s Gifts & Games, 100 N. Houston Lake Road and DMZ Gifts and Amusement Games, 100 N. Houston Lake Road.

According to a press release, the GBI collected evidence related to the crimes of commercial gambling and seized monetary assets gained from the illegal use of the coin operated amusement machines. The release also stated that the locations listed above are currently licensed to operate coin operated amusement machines, but during the investigation, agents discovered customers were receiving cash payouts for winning credits. In Georgia, credits may only be redeemed for lottery tickets and/or store merchandise.

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