A local convenience store owner was arrested on March 2 for conducting illegal commercial gambling at his business.

Islam Ahmad, 57, of Kennesaw, Ga., the owner of the Zip Trip, located at 1006 E. River Road in Bainbridge, was arrested on charges of commercial gambling and keeping a gambling place by Decatur County Sheriff’s investigators.

Investigator Victor Strickland said he had received information that the store was exchanging money for print-out vouchers from an electronic slot machine games located at the business. He said the games are not against the law unless money is being paid out.

“We conducted a two-week investigation, which included undercover officers going into the store,” Strickland said.

The investigation also focused on other locations with similar novelty gambling games, but the Zip Trip was the only location where undercover officers received cash payouts for vouchers, according to the investigator.

On March 2, investigators executed a search warrant on the store, confiscating the machines as well as a number of documents related to the gambling operation.

GSP update

Georgia State Patrol troops from the Colquitt Post investigated nine traffic crashes during the month of March in Decatur County.

Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Strickland said the traffic crashes resulted in two injuries and no traffic deaths.

Troopers from the post issued 211 traffic citations in the county during the month, which includes 13 arrests for DUI, 50 citations for speeding, 50 seat belt violations and 17 child restraint violations. Troopers also issued 207 warnings.