AUTRYVILLE — Another arrest has been made in a seizure of video gaming machines from a local store.

Dien Van Tran, 46, of 220 Pudding Store Drive, Fayetteville, has been charged with operating/allowing to be operated five or more server-based video gaming machines, a felony offense, as well as a misdemeanor gambling charge. Tran was arrested Tuesday at Garthie’s Store, located at 5301 Maxwell Road.

Tran is listed on his arrest report as the owner of the business. He was placed under $10,000 unsecured bond for the offenses. His arrest came on the heels of the arrest of a store clerk at the business late Friday. The clerk, Karen Taylor, received the same charges as Tran and was placed under $5,000 unsecured bond.

Officials alluded on Monday to another potential arrest, noting that Taylor was a clerk and not the owner of the store.

“It is an ongoing investigation,” Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith said Monday prior to Tran’s arrest, “and more charges are possible.”

Agents with the Sampson County Sheriff’s Special Investigation Division went to the location after reportedly receiving complaints of illegal gambling activities at the store, according to sheriff’s officials. Agents were given consent to search the property and found five machines in operation at the business.

Reach Managing Editor Chris Berendt at 910-249-4616. Follow the paper on twitter @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.

By Chris Berendt

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