Bookmaking Probe Results in 7 Arrests

Seven people were arrested when police broke up an alleged bookmaking ring in South Los Angeles that is reported to have handled about $30,000 a week in horse-racing bets, authorities said Monday.

Officers arrested a woman and six men Friday, including 70-year-old Joe (Derby) Brown, the suspected boss, said Capt. F.G. Lewallen of the Police Department’s Vice Division. The raids wrapped up a 10-week investigation.

The suspects, all from Los Angeles, were held on suspicion of bookmaking. Bail was set at $2,500 each. Also arrested were Charles Gardner, 66; LeRoy Higgenbotham, 52; Rex Barnett, 76; Jewell Wilburn, 67; Odis McBride, 69, and Patricia Powell, 41.