MASTIC, NY – Brookhaven investigators and Suffolk Police shut down an illegal underground nightclub in Mastic that had been the source of community complaints of drug use, prostitution and other quality of life crimes. Three people were arrested during the raid of the building at 1280 Montauk Highway, charged with illegal operation without a liquor license and possession of marijuana.
“Once again, our Quality of Life Task Force has been instrumental in removing a blight on our community. This latest action in Mastic not only resulted in the arrest of three people, but also removed a potentially dangerous situation from this neighborhood,” said Supervisor Lesko. “An illegal nightclub packing so many people into such a small space, with no regard for any codes or laws, is a recipe for disaster that calls to mind the 87 senseless deaths in the 1990 Happy Land fire.”
“When my office was made aware of the problems at this building, I immediately called for an investigation of the property by our law department. Thanks to the actions of our Town investigators and the Suffolk County Police, this illegal operation has been shut down,” said Councilman Keith Romaine. “It’s hard enough for our local businesses to operate in this economy and make an honest living. We’re not going to stand for an illegal operation like this smack in the middle of our Montauk Highway business corridor, which was the source of so many complaints and allegations of drug use, prostitution and other quality of life crimes.”
The Brookhaven Town Attorney’s office obtained a search warrant for the building on Friday, June 26, which was executed at approximately 10:45 p.m. by Town investigators and officers from the Suffolk County Police Departments Seventh Precinct Crime Control Unit. The investigators found approximately 40 men and three women in the basement of the building, which had been converted into a "bar" with pool tables, a large screen TV, a juke box, a restroom area and a bar area. The bar area contained a cash register, liquor of various types, several case of beer, a refrigerator and an icebox. Drugs were also found and seized by the police.
Police arrested Jose A. Rodriguez Robles and Anna D Castillo, charging them with allegedly operating a Premise without a state liquor license, along with several other minor charges. Esperanza Lisseth Chicas was also arrested, and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. According to police and Town investigators, Mr. Rodriguez Robles and Ms Castillo were acting as the operators of the establishment. Ms Castillo was observed by undercover officers selling liquor to others on the premise, while Mr. Rodriguez Robles was acting as the "bouncer" for the premise and working in concert with Ms Castillo, according to Town investigators.
Town investigators issued 18 appearance tickets for violations of New York State and Brookhaven Town Codes, including:
Town Codes
16-3 Permit Required
16-4 No Certificate of Occupancy
16A-2 Conformity with National Electrical Code
30-119 Permit Required (Assembly Occupancy)
30-129B General Requirements (Electrical Systems)
49-1B Property Maintenance (3) Landscaping
49-1B Property Maintenance (4) Garbage
49B-4 Public Nuisance Prohibited
85-227.1 No Special Permit - Planning Board (Bar)
NY State Codes
F605.5 Extension Cords (Used As A Perm. Power Source)
F605.5.3 Maintenance (Frayed Extension Cords)
F605.5.4 Grounding (Ungrounded Observed)
F605.6 Unapproved Conditions (Open Junction Boxes/Unprotected Outlets)
F703.1 Maintenance (No Fire Resistant Rated Construction - Boiler Room)
F703.1.1 Fire Blocking and Draft Stopping (None)
F703.2 Opening Protectives (No Fire Door)
F1003.2.2.5 Posting of Occupant Load (Not Posted)
F1003.2.5.4 Clear Width (Egress Blocked by Pool Tables)
Division of Public Information * Office of the Town Council
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6595 • Fax (631) 451-6258