Electronic Gambling Machines Found In Uniondale Barber Shop: Police

UNIONDALE, NY. — A Bronx man is in Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody Thursday after police found five electronic gambling machines in a hidden room at the Uniondale barber shop where he worked Wednesday night, police said.

Police said they arrested 30-year-old Bronx resident Avianela Feliz De Los Santos and 52-year-old Massapequa resident Ronald Jn Lubin Wednesday night during a quality-of-life initiative at the Silver Shear Barber Shop, located on Waverly Place in Uniondale. Investigation at the barber shop revealed that it was operating without a valid public assembly license from the Town of Hempstead, police said.

Upon further investigation, police said they found a hidden room in the shop, accessible by key fob. The room contained five electronic gambling machines and over $17,000 in cash, all of which was seized, police said. Town of Hempstead Building inspectors then locked and secured the barber shop, police said.

De Los Santos and Lubin now face charges of second-degree promoting gambling, possession of gambling devices, unlicensed public assembly and unlicensed bottle club, police said. The men were both issued appearance tickets, returnable Dec. 29, police said.

Police said De Los Santos was in the United States illegally and would be subject to removal proceedings. He was placed in ICE custody, police said.