A civil forfeiture case continues against an Emporia convenience store — and a state agency says the case has no bearing on the store’s closure.
The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission filed its paperwork in mid-May against the Emporia Sunoco, 505 South Commercial, after the seizure of five allegedly illegal gaming machines and over $3,100 in proceeds, following an investigation involving the commission and Emporia Police in March.
The court filing says the affidavit “seeks claims to the seized property only.” Tushar Patel is listed as the owner of Emporia’s Sunoco. Evans says Racing and Gaming cannot confirm a criminal suspect at this stage of the court proceedings and a decision on possible criminal charges will be made after the forfeiture case is done.
The store has been closed and its gas pumps have been unavailable to the public this week. Calls to the business go unanswered.
