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By JOE HEALEY jhealey@leader.net
Thursday, February 03, 2000 Page: 11A
Three Luzerne County business owners were cited Wednesday with possessing
illegal gambling devices in their establishments, police said. Police said
they seized five machines and $1,420. Cited were Christopher J. Ferrara of
West Pittston, the owner of Back Mountain Tobacco in Dallas; Therese A. Wrubel
of Avoca, owner of John’s Service Station on William Street in Pittston; and
David R. Raub of Wilkes-Barre, owner of San’s Pizzeria on North Main Street,
Wilkes-Barre. Many bars and restaurants in Luzerne County have video poker
machines, police have said. Though the machines are not illegal, paying out
money to winners is. On July 27, police served a search warrant at Back
Mountain Tobacco after an undercover state police trooper determined two video
poker machines had “knock-off devices,” which allow players to cash out.
Both machines and $203 were seized. On Sept. 24, police served a warrant at
John’s Service Station after an undercover state police trooper was using a
video poker machine and received a cash payout from an employee of the
station, state police said. There were two machines and both were seized.
Police also seized $1,119. On Oct. 5, police raided San’s Pizzeria after an
undercover trooper was operating a video poker machine and received two cash
payouts from an employee, police said. The machine and $98 were seized. That
warrant was executed with the assistance of the State Police Liquor Control
Enforcement because the pizzeria is a licensed establishment. Citations were
delivered to three local district justices Wednesday and the owners will be
cited by mail. Police said the three face numerous charges related to
gambling. Additional arrests are expected, police said.
Call Healey at 829-7225.