Two arrested for running sham front business to hide gambling operation in Richmond – WBONTV Local News for Richmond KY

Two men were arrested Tuesday night in connection to an alleged gambling operation inside a Richmond business. 

46-year-old Maheshkumar Patel and 32-year-old Kirankumar Patel were arrested after a large police presence converged on 717 Big Hill Avenue Tuesday night around 7:30. This is the location of the Richmond Smoke and Tobacco Shop.

Police say they were acting on a tip from a patron who claimed he had won $12,000 playing slot machines there over the summer. The man went on to say he lost $2500 in the machines on Monday, left and came back with another thousand dollars, but was denied entry to the locked area where the machines were kept. That’s when he reported the business to authorities.

When Police responded, they found a door in the back marked “employees only,” but when they made entry, several gambling machines were reportedly found, three with people still playing. 

Officers say one machine had a payout of a nearly $8500 jackpot clearly posted. One subject actually added another $20 bill to his machine while officers were standing there, according to officers on the scene.

Police obtained a search warrant and seized seven gambling machines and nearly $9000 in cash. Police say they found at least 10 payout receipts from the machines.

Both men were charged with promoting gambling first-degree and operation of a sham or front company. Kirankumar Patel was also charged with tampering with physical evidence and possession of a gambling device.

Both men were taken to the Madison County Detention Center last night and processed.