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Tuesday night raid nets 43 arrests for drugs, gamblingBy NANCY MILLS Staff writerIn a five-hour raid spurred by complaints from local residents, Grand Prairie police arrested 43 persons at 14 clubs on West Jefferson Street Tuesday night; seven of those arrests at “County Line saloons were for gambling.Lt. C. A. Mezzell said Wednesday that police began undercover surveillance of the bars approximately one month ago after several local residents had complained that intoxicated customers were being served drinks and gambling was prevalent.Approximately 12 police officers dressed in plain clothes began the shake-down at 8:30 p.m. in the Trophy Club.Detective Charlie Owens, who was a member of the arrest team, said officers were assigned specific warrants. On the basis of undercover work, more than 80 warrants were issued, he added.Officers simply walked in and arrested those wanted on Grand Prairie warrants. Owers said.“IT WAS PRETTY EASY. he noted we didn’t have any problems at any place. None of the 43 persons arrested on charges ranging from gambling, drunk in public and possession of drugs put up any resistance, he said.Even though Tuesday night is an “off night at local tavems, Owens said police had decided to make their move in order to arrest a robbery suspect wanted in Grand Prairie. But, he noted, the man accused of robbing another individual at a County Line club had fled the state.FORTY WARRANTS ARE STILL OUTSTANDING. Owens said. But, he added, we’ll probably be able to pick them up during the regular patrol up there (on the County Line).Af the Trophy Club, 2319 W. Jefferson St., three men were arrested for betting on pool games. Bets ranged up to $200.A 38-year-old Grand Prairie man was arrested for investigation of operating a gambling house. Mezze.i said the man had been released on a $2,000 writ of habeas corpus bond and a $200 city bond. But, he said, police will file charges with the district attorney's office.Also arrested in the raid on the Trophy Club were a 28-year-old Fort Worth man and a 41-year-old Arlington man. Both have been released on $200 city bond, Mezzell said.AT ANOTHER COUNTY LINE CLUB,the Love Bug, a 29-year-old Grand Prairie man was arrested on a separate gambling warrant. He also has been released on bond.Gambling on a pool game, Mezzell said, resulted in the Nov. 16 rifle slaying of Billy Wayne Sanderson. 34, at Wade’s Lounge on West Jefferson Street. But, he said, that murder did not instigate the undercover investigation.ALSO DURING THE RAID, 10 persons were arrested for possession of marijuana and amphetamines.Mezzell said the raid Tuesday was a routine operation conducted once or twice a year. The last such mass arrest was approximately 10 months ago, he added.Accompanying Grand Prairie detectives on Tuesday night was Garland Lary, an agent of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Newspaper Details
Grand Prairie Daily News
Grand Prairie, Texas, US
Thu, Dec 01, 1977
Page 5
Full Page
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USA 25 Jul 2017
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