Residential alarms are usually needed to thwart potential burglars, but sometimes they can catch the alarm owner in the committing of a crime. Case in point was the owner of a home alarm system in the mountains of Southern California. Police responding to an alarm at the lavish mountain retreat in Running Springs, Calif., didn’t find a burglar, but did find in the home an extensive illegal gambling operation, according to a report in the San Bernardino Sun.
Responding to the Jan. 17 alarm, police proceeded inside the home after noticing the front doors were open. When they went downstairs into a lower room, police say they found a 1,200-square-foot casino complete with slot machines, roulette wheel and craps, blackjack and poker tables. Also adding to the casino ambiance was a wooden cashier’s cage.
The alarm was apparently activated by strong winds that blew the doors open. Police have authority to enter a residence when they respond to an alarm and find the doors open.
The false alarm will truly be costly for the home’s owner, who now faces misdemeanor charges of illegal gaming, illegal possession and usage of a slot machine, and illegal ownership or manufacturing of slot machines.
