Florida man charged after allegedly tampering with gaming machine in Staunton
STAUNTON — A Florida man is behind bars after he allegedly tampered with gaming equipment at a Staunton arcade venue, reportedly giving him the ability to play for free.
On Sunday, shortly before 6:30 p.m., the Augusta County Sheriff's Office received a phone call from the owner of the The Hilltop Skilled Game Arcade on Rowe Road just outside of Staunton. Authorities were told there were three individuals in the establishment and that one of them was suspected of tampering with a gaming machine, according to Major Brian Jenkins of the sheriff's office.
Jenkins said it appeared that a suspect, using tools, jimmied a machine's cash box.
"Whatever money he put in, the machine counted it as a credit for whatever bet he was making, but he was able to get his money right back out," Jenkins explained, meaning he was allegedly playing for free while reportedly collecting any winnings that came his way.
After getting a vehicle description, deputies responded to the area and spotted the vehicle at the Royal Station convenience store, also on Rowe Road. While there, deputies interviewed the three men who were from New York, Florida and Georgia, Jenkins said.
One of the men, 32-year-old Javaun R. Ivey, of Micanopy, Florida, was arrested on felony charges of possessing burglary tools and tampering with casino gaming equipment. Jenkins said Ivey was reportedly caught with a punch tool and pliers, and also had $520 in cash, the same amount that was allegedly illegally won from the arcade business.
Ivey was arrested and taken to Middle River Regional Jail in Verona, where as of Monday he was being held without bond, jail records show.
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Man facing charges after gaming machine tampered with in Staunton
