After several months of investigation, the Allegheny Township police finally discovered why mail trucks were often parked behind a local convenience store. Apparently, a local resident reported seeing mailmen in the back of the C&T Mini Mart, off Route 56, playing video slot machines. Following this lead, a police raided resulted in the confiscation of four poker machines and more than $10,000 of cash. The raid also found four customers playing the machines including two uniformed on duty postal workers.
Police were not able to charge the customers playing because the actual playing of the machines is not the illegal part. It’s only illegal when the ticket the machine spits out is redeemed for cash. According the Allegheny Township police. This is exactly what this “gas station gambling ring” was doing. Only the privileged were allowed to play the video poker machines. To enter the back room, gamblers needed to be on a invitational only list. The two mail carriers’ were on that list.
“We were able to develop some intelligence into what was going on. We realized they had some gambling devices in the back room that patrons had access to and were in there for hours on end playing them.” township police Chief John Fontaine said.
While no charges have yet been filed, Township police are consulting with the district attorney on how to proceed with the case and expect the inspector general will handle personnel issues involving the mail carriers.
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