Three arrested in backroom game bust

Three men were arrested May 28 following a five-month investigation into alleged criminal activity at an Elgin game room, police said.

Elgin Police Department officers executed arrest and search warrants at 13108 County Line Road, arresting Paul Zapata on site. Authorities later located and arrested Salman Choudhary and Hamza Kholia, according to reports.

All three suspects were booked into the Travis County Jail.

“It was a backroom operation and not in a public space,” Elgin Public Information Officer Stacey Osborne said.

Choudhary and Kholia are each charged with second-degree felony theft, third-degree felony money laundering and first-degree felony engaging in organized criminal activity. Zapata is charged with second- degree felony theft and first-degree felony engaging in organized criminal activity.

Felony charges will be prosecuted through Travis County, according to officials.

The investigation remains ongoing as Elgin police search for additional suspects connected to the operation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Jake Engle at 512-285-5757 or [email protected].