What to Know
- Police found the alleged illicit gambling den after investigating a purse theft.
- A man is accused of accepting $800 to rent out a storefront being used for gambling.
A man is accused of renting out a storefront allegedly used as an illegal gambling den for $800 a month in North Miami Beach.
Genel Lubin is accused of accepting the money from an unidentified co-defendant.
Police discovered the illicit gambling location after investigating a purse theft that occurred at a nearby Walgreen's pharmacy on Wednesday, according to an arrest report.
Police found the suspect in the purse theft was "loitering in the back of the business," the report reads.
After an officer looked around the premises and saw signs that the supposedly closed store was operating in some capacity, Lubin and another person at the location "began to act nervous by avoiding eye contact."
After a conducting a search, the investigation revealed that both men "agreed to operate an illegal gambling operation inside the business" of which Lubin is the lessee.
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Lubin, who told police the storefront was supposed to be a dollar store, faced a Miami-Dade court on Thursday.
“They’ve been doing it for the last two months, and that he averages seven thousand per week and generally has a net profit of 15 to 20 percent," Judge Mindy Glazer said, referring to the charges. "Mr. Lubin converted the space into a bedroom furnished with a bed, TV, refrigerator, large assortment of alcohol beverages, a dresser, clothing and a bar.”
Glazer ordered a $2,500 bond imposed on Lubin.
