BY M. JUNAID ALAM
A 111th police officer said the 9 p.m. raid was carried out at 253-24 Northern Blvd. by the Queens Vice division.Many people were found inside the building, which hosted gambling games like Texas Hold'em, according to the spokesman. The Queens DA's office confirmed the arrests Monday. A spokeswoman said all the defendants were charged with promoting gambling in the first degree, which carries up to four years of jail time. All but one of those charged are Queens residents.They are: Robert Blasso, 45, of 49-21 164th St. in Fresh Meadows; Ahmed Sultan, 34, of 61-25 98th St., Rego Park; Shin Mau Yeung, 27, of 51-08 Robinson St. in Flushing; Joon H. Yi, 21, of 56-10 185th St. in Fresh Meadows; Elliot Sipel, 40, of 61-12 Metro Ave. in Ridgewood; Michael Galas, 72, of 60-48 71st St. in Maspeth; and Michael Perlin, 28, of 234 Linden Ave. in Jersey City, N.J.With the exception of Galas, all the men were released on their own recognizance and most of them were scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 14. Galas posted $5,000 bail.On Tuesday morning, the lower part of the building was boarded up and was inaccessible.Reach reporter M. Junaid Alam by e-mail at malam@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext 174.
