Four people were arrested after police shut down an alleged illegal gambling den operated out of a City Heights home.
San Diego police said that after receiving complaints of drug and prostitution-related activity near the residence, a search warrant was served Tuesday morning at the Central Avenue home.
Along with the arrests, police seized nine illegal gambling machines, money and a loaded firearm, according to SDPD Lt. Tim Radtke.
San Diego police said this is the fourth raid in the past six months in the City Heights area and they're really not sure why so many are starting to pop up.
Elaine May lives next door to the raided home. She’s noticed this alley has been more busy during the past month.
"A lot of really weird-dressed people would come. I mean, like, they were, like, wearing evening clothes in the middle of the day. They'd come around, maybe, you know, three or four in the afternoon and just ring the doorbell and disappear,” May said.
The police department issued a statement saying, "Illegal gambling establishments pose significant risks to the community. These locations often attract additional criminal activity, including narcotics sales, theft, violence and threaten the security of our neighborhoods within which they unlawfully operate. Because they operate outside of regulated environments, they lack proper security, create unsafe conditions for occupants and nearby businesses and can become hubs for exploitation and financial harm."