Police seize 13 gambling machines at Decatur business

Police say they seized 13 illegal gambling machines and arrested a business owner this week in Decatur.

Investigators went to investigate a complaint about illegal gambling when they found the machines at Cecil’s Treasure Chest thrift store on Monday, said Irene Cardenas-Martinez, a Decatur police spokeswoman. The store is located in southeast Decatur on McGlathery Lane, just west of U.S. 31.

While speaking to the owner, investigators saw three people in a back room playing what appeared to be electronic gambling machines, similar to penny slots, Cardenas-Martinez said.

The owner, Alberto Calderon, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of promoting gambling and possession of marijuana, and a felony count of possession of methamphetamine, according to police. He was released from the Morgan County jail on $1,600 bail.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Calderon had an attorney to speak on his behalf.