Akron police say they busted illegal gambling den in Kenmore

Akron police with a search warrant raided a Kenmore business Wednesday night that they said was running an illegal gambling establishment.

Officers entered the facility in the 1400 block of Kenmore Boulevard around 10:45 p.m. and arrested three people. They also seized 22 gambling machines, a handgun, methamphetamine and more than $14,000 in cash, police said.

The investigation, which is ongoing, has included "numerous probable cause traffic-related stops for suspicious and other illegal activity at the location," police said.

Police did not release the names of those arrested but said two men, ages 52 and 63, and a 30-year-old woman were charged with operating a gambling house and prohibition against gambling.

In June of last year, Akron police obtained a search warrant and raided what they said was another illegal gambling operation just a couple of blocks away, in the 1000 block of Kenmore Boulevard.

In that case, police arrested five people and seized about 40 gaming machines, fentanyl and several guns.

It's not clear if the two businesses have any connections.

"Akron Police will continue to work tirelessly to enhance our public safety efforts," police said in a press release Thursday. "This includes collaborating with our local and federal law enforcement partners and other officials to curb gun violence and, in this case, crack down on illegal gambling operations wherever they sprout up."

Illegal gambling, police said, "creates public safety and nuisance-related concerns for our community."

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron police charge 3 for running alleged illegal gambling den in Kenmore