Yesterday, KTVU reported that their visit to Concord’s internet cafe, “The Hills,” prompted its closure. The business, located at the Dana Plaza Shopping Center, appeared to be offering online gambling. Residents had questions about the operation asked KTVU to investigate.
“The Hills,” according to residents, brought misfortune to the neighborhood with bicycle thefts and vehicle break-ins being reported in broad daylight.
Eric Rasmussen, a KTVU reporter, visited the business on Tuesday with a camera crew. Rasmussen, along with the crew, were seemingly unnoticed due to the high traffic volume occurring at the establishment. The KTVU report showed that a woman operating a cash register initially declined to comment but later explained that “customers buy internet time in exchange for entries into sweepstakes games that pay our real money.”
During the KTVU visit, the cafe manager suddenly announced they were closing. The cashier exclaimed that they were shutting down due to the presence of the investigative team.
Similar cases of illegal activity have brought suspensions of Internet cafes to other Bay Area locales. Residents hope that Concord follows suit.
KTVU was unsuccessful in reaching the owners of “The Hills” for comment. The city attorney said that he would file an injunction against the owners if they did not leave the Concord location as reportedly planned.
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