Crime & Safety
Police: Men Arrested for Illegal Gambling Operation in New Cassel
About 50 cases of non-taxed Haitian Rum and $30,000 in cash were recovered from the store last Friday, police said.
Two men were arrested for their involvement in an illegal gambling operation inside of a New Cassel store on Friday, July 10, police said.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Rose Grocery, located at 1019 Prospect Ave., and recovered electronic equipment, about 50 cases of non-taxed Haitian Rum and $30,000 in cash, police said.
According to authorities, illegal bets were placed on nine separate occasions with the store owner between March 2014 and June 2015.
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Store owner Jean Celestin, 51, of North Babylon and Aurel Bonhomme, 70, of Wyandanch, were arrested without incident.
Celestin was charged with second degree possession of gambling records, second degree promoting gambling and numerous charges related to the alcohol and tobacco control laws.
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The search was executed with the help of the Narcotic/Vice Squad with assistance from the Electronics Squad, Asset Forfeiture Squad and Bureau of Special Operations. Bonhomme was charged with sixth degree conspiracy.
Both men were arraigned on Saturday, July 11 at First District Court in Hempstead.
Images via NCPD
Photo 2: Jean Celestin
Photo 3: Aurel Bonhomme
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