MATTHEWS, N.C. — A fish arcade in Matthews was raided this week, resulting in investigators seizing items and charging four people.
The Matthews Police Department said the raid happened on Tuesday at the Ocean King Arcade, located along U.S. 74 near Mattthews-Mint Hill Road. The raid came after police said it had extensively looked into suspected illegal gambling activities inside.
During the raid, police said they found 75 arcade machines consisting of 111 total playing stations, four guns, and U.S. currency. Four people were charged as a result of the raid, including three people for providing unlicensed armed security and one person with illegal gambling. One person was also taken into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant.
Matthews Police said it had assistance from other law enforcement agencies, including the state Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The raid in Matthews happened the same day that a similar operation in Charlotte happened. Police raided the Shark Tank arcade on Freedom Drive, seizing cash, guns, and gaming equipment as well. Similarly, another person there was arrested on an outstanding warrant while others were cited for providing unlicensed armed security.
Tuesday's raids come less than five months after several raids in the Charlotte area in April 2024 resulted in hundreds of charges filed against nine people.