The department said it acted on neighbors' complaints of late night drinking and noise coming from Mi Ranchito restaurant in Newark's Ironbound section
Undercover cops determined this social club in Newark was being operated as an illegal after-hours bar on Sunday morning, then called in uniformed reinforcements to shut the place down and arrest its two operators, police said. NEWARK -- Police say the Mi Ranchito Social Club in Newark's Ironbound section was shut down early Sunday morning and two of its operators were arrested on charges it was operating as an illegal after-hours bar.
Acting on neighbors' complaints of noise and drinking late into the night, undercover detectives from the Newark Police Department's special enforcement unit went to Mi Ranchito's small storefront on Thomas Street just after midnight on Sunday morning, police said.
"Undercover police officers posing as customers were able to enter the restaurant with other patrons," read an announcement Sunday evening by Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. "Once inside, the officers observed the bartender and owner, later identified a David Alvarez and a worker, Maria Benitez, illegally selling alcohol to the patrons."
Ambrose said backup officers then arrived at the club and arrested the owner, Alvarez, and the bartender, Benitez.
In addition to closing the place, police said officers confiscated more than $460 in cash and 240 bottles of Modelo beer, 48 bottles of Heineken, 480 bottles of Corona, and 13 bottles of gin, tequila, vodka, cognac, rum and others hard liquor.
Alvarez, 45, of Newark, was charged with maintaining an unlicensed liquor establishment, illegally selling alcohol and unlawful possession of alcohol. Benitez, 32, also of Newark, was charged with aiding and abetting an unlicensed liquor establishment.
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