Casino Crime Roundup: California Cops Arrest Seven in Illegal Casino Raid

Stockton, Calif. police arrested seven suspects after an illegal casino operating in the garage of a private residence on Friday.

During the search, police found four firearms and several casino games, according to TV station KTXL.

Tracy Harbutte, 36, was identified as the owner of the residence. She was charged with operating an illegal gambling establishment and animal cruelty.

The other suspects are Phansy Hea, 41, Jessie Taylor, 29, Ariana Flores, 19, Briana Flores, 18, Eric Hall, 18, and an unnamed 16-year-old.

They were arrested on gun charges and outstanding warrants.

A man was arrested after he allegedly set up a device that punctured the tires of 35-plus cars at or near California’s parking lot.

Matthew Ebner, 53, of Dos Palos, Calif., was arrested last week for vandalism in connection with the incidents, according to California TV station KSEE.

Over three months, some 35 vehicles had their tires damaged after driving in the casino parking lot or operating on a nearby road. They each had driven over homemade metal spikes, which got lodged in their tires, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office revealed.

Damage to the vehicles totaled thousands of dollars, authorities said.

Ebner was identified as a possible suspect after officers spotted a truck that was traced back to him. Police then searched Ebner s residence, where metal spikes were located last Wednesday.

It was later revealed that Ebner was engaged in a dispute with the casino, according to the sheriff’s office. Police didn’t release details on the disagreement.

Ebner was booked at the Fresno County Jail. He’s since been released, according to online jail records, and his case has been turned over to local prosecutors.

A man stole a car from the on Monday night before crashing it near the gaming property. The Airway Heights Police Department then apprehended the unnamed suspect as he tried to flee from the accident site.

Police also determined the suspect had a pending warrant for his arrest in connection with a prior incident.

The damaged vehicle was located on Highway 2 near South Hayford Road. A damage estimate wasn’t immediately available from police.