January 22, 2025

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SLCPD Special Investigations Unit, SWAT Team Executes Warrant at Ballpark Neighborhood Business, 1 Person Arrested

SALT LAKE CITY — Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s (SLCPD) Special Investigations Unit (SIU) have disrupted an alleged illegal gambling operation in the Ballpark Neighborhood following an extensive undercover investigation.

“Alleged illegal gambling operations like this don’t just violate the law, they create environments where other criminal activity can thrive,” said Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. “This investigation is the result of a tremendous team effort of our Special Investigations Unit, and I want to recognize the hard work of our detectives, collateral officers, SWAT officers, and patrol officers.”

The search warrants led to the seizure of more than $56,000 in cash, firearms, gambling machines, and narcotics from two separate locations.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, the SLCPD’s SWAT Team executed a court-authorized search warrant at a business called “My Podzzz,” located at 1480 South State Street.

“The Ballpark community has been dealing with the negative impacts of this alleged criminal operation for weeks,” Chief Brown added. “I hope there is an immediate impact following this search warrant that will help return a sense of community and safety to the Ballpark neighborhood.”

Detectives also executed a search warrant at a business called “Urban Pawn,” located at 4791 South State Street in Murray.

Based on the preliminary investigation, SLCPD SIU detectives determined that illegal gambling was taking place at My Podzzz, with proceeds allegedly being funneled to Urban Pawn.

Both businesses are owned by 42-year-old Ryan Delahuerta.

“This investigation and the enforcement action our detectives have taken should send a clear message to those in our community who think they can operate criminal activities under the guise of legitimate businesses—we will not tolerate any activity that fuels crime and erodes public trust,” Chief Brown added.

At the My Podzzz location, detectives seized nearly $8,000 in cash, two handguns, three gambling machines, and drugs including fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, and marijuana products.

At the Urban Pawn location, detectives seized more than $48,000.

Detectives booked Delahuerta into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on illegal gambling-related charges. Additional charges may be considered by prosecutors as the investigation continues.

Officers detained a 38-year-old employee of My Podzzz as part of their investigation. Detectives will work with prosecutors to screen charges against the 38-year-old man.

When detectives executed their search warrant at the My Podzzz business, detectives found 28 people inside and detained all of them, pursuant to the investigation. Officers released all but one.

Over the past six months, the area around 1480 South State Street has been a hotspot for crime, prompting the SLCPD to take immediate action.

Recent incidents include multiple aggravated assaults, robberies, and burglaries, as well as threats, stalking, and larceny.

Notably, 1470 South State Street has been the site of two separate robberies and an aggravated assault, while 1480 South State Street saw another aggravated assault.

Patrol officers working this beat report constant criminal activity around 1480 South State Street.

Nearby locations, including 1450 South State Street, have also experienced burglary, possession of burglary tools, and an aggravated assault against a police officer.

Additionally, officers have received reports of other property crimes throughout the immediate area, further highlighting the need for increased police presence and crime prevention efforts.

Chief Brown recognized the work of the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Liberty Patrol Division and the SLCPD Bike Squad for their continued efforts working to disrupt crime in this area.

Several photos of the evidence seized and photos from the search warrant at 1480 South State Street are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

The information contained in this news release is based on a preliminary review of the details available to the Salt Lake City Police Department. As the investigation progresses, information may change.

Photo: Evidence including drugs, cash, ammunition, and firearms displayed during the evidence booking process following a search warrant in the Ballpark neighborhood (SLCPD photo – January 21, 2025).

Photo: Salt Lake City Police seized more than $56,000 as part of a criminal investigation into illegal gambling that occurred in Salt Lake City and Murray (SLCPD photo – January 22, 2025).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police patrol car parked in front of “My Podzzz,” located at 1480 South State Street following a search warrant in the Ballpark neighborhood related to alleged illegal gambling (SLCPD photo – January 21, 2025).

Photo: Salt Lake City Police officers detain several people found inside a business following an investigation conducted by the SLCPD’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) into alleged illegal gambling and other criminal activity (SLCPD photo – January 21, 2025).

Photo: A Salt Lake City Police SWAT officer inspects the entry of 1480 South State Street following a search warrant executed by SLCPD SWAT and detectives assigned to the Special Investigations Unit (SLCPD photo – January 21, 2025).

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