A portion of a building shared by a church was allegedly used by an illicit gambling enterprise, according to police in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

A search warrant was recently carried out at "Lucky Teeter's" by the Kings Mountain Police Department (KMPD) in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations and the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement. The company can be found in Kings Mountain at 402 E. King St.

53 illicit gaming machines and an undetermined sum of US cash were found during the search, according to law enforcement. Natilya Nashaentya Shabrea Stewart, 21, of Harrisburg, and Brian Deion Lamerrel Mobley, 28, of Gastonia, were detained and accused of operating the illegal gaming business. According to the KMPD announcement, Stewart is a "Black female" and Mobley is a "Black male."

Police disclosed that the investigation into Lucky Teeter's has been going on for three months.

Community Advice 

According to Kings Mountain police, the search warrant was secured following many tips from locals who believed that illicit gaming was taking place inside the brick house on King Street.

The Crimson Timbers Church, which only moved to 402A E. King in March, shares the multiunit building. Another tenant at 402 E. King is a salon.

The Two Kings Casino, a legitimate tribal casino, is roughly four miles northeast of Lucky Teeters. Only tribal gaming is permitted at casinos in North Carolina.

The 24-story hotel tower of the Catawba Nation's under-construction permanent Two Kings Casino Resort, which is next to the temporary gaming complex, was completed earlier this week. Through a partnership with Delaware North, the tribe is investing $1 billion.

There are two more tribal casinos in North Carolina. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is the owner of Harrah's Cherokee and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River.

The Lucky Teeters raid is still being investigated, according to the KMPD. The public is urged to call 704-734-0444 if they have any more information or suggestions regarding the operation. You can call 704-481-information or submit anonymous information via Cleveland County Crime Stoppers.

In North Carolina, running an unlawful gambling business is often considered a Class 2 misdemeanor, which carries a maximum 60-day jail sentence. More serious and subsequent violations may result in felony charges, which are punishable by five years in jail.

Unlucky Company

The presence of Lucky Teeter wasn't exactly concealed. There was a sign that read "lucky" in green and "teeter's" in black.

Since the grocery store company Harris Teeter was established in Mooresville nearly seven decades ago, North Carolinians are well familiar with the term "teeter." Although Kroger now owns Harris Teeter, the company's headquarters are still in North Carolina.

William Harris and Willis Teeter launched Harris Teeter in 1960. The two business owners joined the Harris Drugs pharmacy and the Teeters Food Mart, both of which were established during the Great Depression.