Westminster police execute search warrant tied to illegal gambling investigation
Alleged illegal gambling operation in Westminster
Authorities raided the home believed to be tied to an alleged illegal gambling operation in Westminster.
WESTMINSTER, Calif. - Detectives with the Westminster Police Department executed a search warrant at a home connected to an alleged illegal gambling operation on Wednesday.
What we know:
Westminster detectives served a search warrant just before 10 a.m. at a home in the 6000 block of Apache Road, located near Garden Grove Boulevard.
Authorities confirmed an estimated 11 people were detained from different parts of the home and the backyard.
Aerial images from SkyFOX showed investigators going in and out of the home while collecting evidence. While searching the home, investigators found four suspected gambling machines, narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
Search warrant executed at Orange County home
Orange County authorities executed a search warrant at a Westminster home allegedly tied to an illegal gambling operation.
All 11 suspects were arrested on multiple charges, including illegal gambling, drug possession, parole violation and warrants for their arrests.
Local perspective:
Residents in the surrounding neighborhood reported noticing suspicious activity at the house for months leading up to the raid. Neighbors described a constant stream of vehicles parking along the street and frequent visitors entering and exiting the home, particularly during evening hours.
"When canvassing door-to-door, multiple residents did say that this particular house has been a problem and they have already called it in," said David Johnson, a local resident and incoming Westminster City Council member. "There were signs, and the residents have been talking about it. The police department and city management worked on it and made it happen."
Johnson applauded law enforcement for responding directly to community concerns.
"I want to give 100 percent credit to the city and the police department for reacting to those issues and doing something about it," he said.
What they're saying:
"The Westminster Police Department does not tolerate illegal gambling establishments, commonly known as "slaphouses," within our community," the department said in a press release.
The investigation remains ongoing.
What you can do:
Those with information about the case are asked to contact Detective B. Odell at 714-548-3811. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online. Police also urge anyone with information about other suspected illegal operations to contact the department.
The Source: This story was reported using information from the Westminster Police Department, including a department press release, SkyFOX aerial footage, and comments from neighborhood residents and incoming Westminster City Council member David Johnson.