Three arrested in raid on unlicensed Santa Ana casino
SANTA ANA — Three people were arrested during a raid at an alleged illegal gambling business masquerading as a cyber cafe on Wednesday, April 17, one week after a similar business was shut down.
Police served a search warrant Wednesday morning at the Fantasy Royal Gift Shop at 413 W. 17th St., site of the former Sky High marijuana dispensary that was raided by police multiple times in recent years, Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
The search warrant was sought following complaints from neighbors of drug and gang activity in the area, Bertagna said.
Police seized five gaming machines and detained five people, three of whom were arrested on suspicion of gambling-related crimes, Bertagna said.
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The business was open around the clock, and there was “constant activity there, which leads to other crime such as auto thefts and fights,” he said.
Code enforcement officials were in the process of “red tagging” the building, meaning it is considered unsafe to occupy, Bertagna said.
Last Wednesday, police raided the Lucky 999 Cyber Internet Cafe at 1314 N. Grand Ave.