ALPHARETTA (AP) — Police apprehended 23 people after raiding a suburban Atlanta restaurant, where authorities say patrons were gambling on the upcoming NCAA basketball tournament.

Alpharetta police spokesman George Gordon said officers and detectives from the nearby cities of Milton, Roswell and Johns Creek took part in the 9 p.m. Monday surprise raid on Pepperoni's Tavern on Old Milton Parkway.

Gordon said investigators had learned that a gambling event was planned for the tavern Monday night, shortly after the teams were set for the tournament.

He said police detained about 65 people, and that 23 of them face charges of illegal gambling. Police reportedly confiscated several handguns and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Names of those arrested were not immediately released.