Illegal gambling machines were seized at seven locations and nine arrests were made Nov. 5 by agents with N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement.
Wadesboro Police Chief Thedis Spencer requested ALE’s help, a news release says. State law prohibits anyone or any corporation to own, operate or play any machine or device that entitles the user to money or anything of value.
“Ever since these gaming machines came, we’ve seen crime going up — robberies, domestic issues and embezzlement cases,” Spencer said. “ALE’s enforcement action today will put a deterrent on any other video gaming operators trying to come into the area with their get-rich-quick schemes.”
Chris Poole, the ALE agent in charge of the gaming section, added, “Gambling can be addictive and destructive. It’s caused bankruptcies, divorces and suicides. State legislators outlawed gaming machines to protect vulnerable citizens, and ALE is the lead agency in enforcing these laws.”
More than 20 officers participated in the roundup.
The locations of the arrests were the Wadesboro Discount Grocery, 702 Salisbury St. in Wadesboro; Quick Shop, U.S. 52; UT Save Inc., no address given; C.Q. Mart, 1200 U.S. 74; Kobercy Inc., U.S. 74; Mike’s Food Mart, U.S. 74; and Stop n Shop, 702 Salisbury St. in Wadesboro.
Those arrested included:
• Shondrell Antwanette Easterling, 38, of Wadesboro.
• Manu Kumar Patel,53, of 1216 Morven Road, Wadesboro.
• Lisa Rivers Taylor, 49, of 210 White Oak St., Morven.
• Alaa Nabil Kobercy, 29, of 5015 Clover Hill Road Indian Trail.
• Mohamad Elbaba, 27, of 500 Abbington Grove Cir Apt. F Wadesboro.
• Shemetra Lashay Melton, 34, of 106 Gin Lane, Morven.
• Lisa Danielle Thomas, 51, of 281 Hannah Road, Wadesboro.
• Kidanne-Mariam Yosief, 31, 2801 Monterrey Lane, Monroe.
• Monroe Ogbamari Gebrezghiabher-Yousef, 33, 1624 Flat River Dr. Apt 107 Charlotte.