Store clerk arrested on illegal gambling, theft charges

At approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday, detectives and officers from the Lodi and Stockton police departments and agents from the Alcoholic Beverage Control executed a search warrant at Discount Market and Smoke Shop, 115 N. Cherokee Lane.

The search warrant came after a Lodi police investigation into reports of illicit drug sales, alcohol sales without a license and illegal gambling at the store.

At the store, officers and agents said they found three slot machines and two coin pushers, several cases of Scotto Family Cellars wine linked to a local theft case, and evidence of drug sales.

“There was about $4,300 in wine that was stolen about a month ago,” Lodi Sgt. Michael Manetti said.

The officers also had reports that the store was selling alcoholic beverages illegally, but are not yet sure if that included the stolen wine, he said.

The Lodi Police Department conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Alcoholic Beverage Control, Manetti said.

“We were very grateful for their help,” he said.

Store clerk Tariq Zaman of Lodi, 35, was arrested on suspicion of drug sales, possession of stolen property and possession of illegal gambling devices.

Another man in the store, Kelly Andrew Nevis, 47, was arrested on a misdemeanor warrant that was unrelated to the Lodi P.D. and ABC investigation, Manetti said.

Nevis was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Or in the right place at the right time if you’re on our side,” Manetti said.

Man in wheelchair robbed at gunpoint

At approximately 11:30 p.m. Sunday evening, a man in a wheelchair was using his cellphone on the 200 block of East Elm Street.

“He was approached by a male wearing a ski mask,” Lt. Fernando Martinez said.

The suspect tried to snatch the man’s phone, and when the man refused to let go, the suspect pulled a gun, Martinez said.

The suspect took the cellphone and fled the scene.

Lodi police are investigating the case.

Three suspected in theft of lumber

At about 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, a Lodi resident reported a suspicious vehicle near the Harney Lane overpass, Martinez said.

Police responded and caught three people stealing lumber from the City of Lodi, officers said. The responding officers estimated that they were in possession of about $6,000 of lumber.

Kenneth Hemmer, Shon Parker and Eliska Blythe were booked into Lodi Jail on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy, along with assorted warrants and drug violations, Martinez said.

Man arrested for vandalism, trespassing

At about 12:40 p.m. Sunday, Lodi police received a call that a man was breaking items inside a home on the 700 block of South Washington Street.

Officers who responded to the scene were told that the man, Eduardo Esparza, 21, did not live in the residence. They asked him to leave, and he refused, police said.

The homeowner asked to press vandalism and trespassing charges.

Esparza tried to enter the home’s attached garage, and officers placed him under arrest, police said. According to the offers, Esparza refused to cooperate and fought them.

He was safely arrested and booked into the Lodi Jail on suspicion of vandalism, trespassing and resisting arrest.