Charge 3 in gambling operation run from back room of grocery

Friday, November 09, 2007
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Two brothers and another man have been charged with running an illegal sports gambling business out of the back room of a Jersey City grocery store, using laptops to log bets on professional baseball and football games, officials said.

The two-month investigation led to the arrest of Efrain Terro-Mendez, 36; Williams Terro-Mendez, 37, and Rafael Mendez, 60, all of Jersey City, Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said. It could not be determined last night if Mendez is related to the brothers.

The three were picked up last Friday, DeFazio said, adding that the investigation is ongoing and there may be more arrests.

The Terro-Mendez brothers own Better Way Mini Market on Summit Avenue near Vroom Street, and they would escort gambling customers through the store to the back room, where bets would be taken, DeFazio said.

When police raided the place, they found hundreds of illegal betting slips, three laptops, printers, and $15,000, DeFazio said, adding that Mendez was counting some of the money when cops came in. While police were on the premises gamblers continued to come in and try to place bets, DeFazio said.

All three were charged with promoting gambling, maintaining a gambling establishment and possession of gambling records, DeFazio said.