|
TRENTON
- Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director
Jerry Fischer announced that eight people
– seven underage patrons and a bar owner–
were arrested Friday night (March 27) as a
result of a joint investigation between the
Division and the Roselle Police Department.
According
to Director Fischer, undercover detectives
assigned to ABC entered Studio AllZone, located
at 841 St. Georges Avenue in Roselle, and
observed underage patrons purchasing and consuming
alcohol. The investigation began after Roselle
police notified the Division of Alcoholic
Beverage Control that Studio AllZone was holding
“Fever Fridays” nights which had
been attracting large crowds and advertising
“18 to enter, 21 to drink” events.
Yemani
M. Ruiz, 18, and Christina M. Salgado, 19,
both of Jersey City; Ingrid Ortiz, 20, Celia
M. Pozo, 18, Hellen R. Araya, 18, all of Elizabeth;
and Tatiana E. Gonzalez, 18, of Green Brook;
and a 17-year-old female, whose identity is
being withheld due to her age, were each charged
with possession of alcohol while under the
legal age. Salgado was also charged with presenting
a fraudulent identification for the purpose
of consuming alcohol.
In
addition, the owner of Studio AllZone, Lech
Pietranek, 54, of Perth Amboy was charged
with obstructing the investigation.
The
matter will be reviewed for possible administrative
charges against Studio AllZone’s liquor
license. Those charges could result in the
suspension of the bar’s alcoholic beverage
license, Fischer said.
Charges
of possession of alcohol while under the legal
age and presenting a fraudulent identification
for the purpose of consuming alcohol are both
disorderly person’s offenses, and penalties
for each could include fines of at least $500
as well as suspensions of drivers’ licenses.
The charge of obstructing the investigation
is also a disorderly person’s offense.
In
announcing the arrests, Director Fischer noted
that the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
has established a toll-free hotline for citizens
to report illegal activity to ABC’s
Investigative Unit. Anyone with information
on illegal activity is encouraged to call
1-866-713-8392. All information
received via the ABC hotline will remain confidential.
#
# # |
