Hasbrouck Heights Man Charged in Alleged Gambling Ring

A Hasbrouck Heights man has been charged with promoting/operating a gambling facility after a several law enforcement agencies raided a North Jersey illegal gambling ring Thursday.

According to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, simultaneous raids were conducted Thursday afternoon of two Connections Cafe locations on Route 23 in Pompton Plains and on New Road in Parsippany.

The investigation began when members of the Pequannock Township Police Department became aware of alleged illegal gambling activities at the two locations, the prosecutor's office said.

The raid led to the arrests of four individuals and the seizure of $60,000 in cash and more than $100,000 in electronic equipment, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said.

Undercover agents were able to identify the alleged illegal activity, leading to Thursday's raids and arrests, the prosecutor's office said.

Jason R. Bolsch, 39, of Hasbrouck Heights, Gary Roach, 55, of Wayne, and Jeffrey T. Spencer, 24, of Rockaway, were each charged with third-degree promoting/operating a gambling facility, third-degree promoting gambling by conduct that materially aids gambling activity, fourth-degree maintaining a gambling resort and fourth-degree conspiracy to maintain a gambling resort.

Chester Ward, 39, of Wayne, faces two counts each on the same charges, according to the prosecutor's office.

Bolsch and Spencer were each released on summonses to appear in court while Roach and Ward were held at the Morris County Correctional facility in lieu of bail.

The investigation was conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations, Pequannock Township and Parsippany Troy-Hills Police.

“Our thanks are extended to our law enforcement partners who working together put a quick end to this illegal operation," Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi said in a prepared statement.

Anyone with information should contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Stopper Program at 973-COP-CALL.