HUNTINGTON STATION, NY — A man was arrested Wednesday in connection with having gambling machines and allowing drinking without a license at a Huntington Station business, Suffolk police said.

Officers and the Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Building Inspector, following community complaints, investigated Jenny’s Deli & Grocery, at 1044 New York Avenue, police said.

Officers observed patrons opening and consuming alcohol and gambling on the premises, police said. The officers discovered five illegal electronic gambling machines, which patrons could pay to use and then cash out from the store, police said.

An employee of the store, Francis Perez, 50, of Huntington Station, was found to be in possession of a knife during the investigation, police said.

Perez was charged with one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of promoting gambling, one count of possession of gambling devices, one count of second-degree criminal nuisance, five counts of allowing consumption of beer on premises, and one count of disorderly premise, all misdemeanors.

Several State Liquor Authority violations were also observed and referred to the SLA for further
investigation, police said. The Town of Huntington Fire Marshal and Building Inspector issued eight violations to the business, police said.

Perez was released on a desk appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on a later date.