Hazleton police say they broke up an illegal after-hours club
Officers couldn't believe what they found inside.
Hazleton police say they broke up an illegal after-hours club
HAZLETON, Pa. - Police in Hazleton broke up what they call a major after-hours club Sunday morning.
Officials say it was so big the owners were making $30,000 a night.
The investigation into 155 North Laurel Street started a year ago after a number noise complaints and hundreds of illegal parking notices.
"I was told "it's a party for my brother" and I got the door slammed in my face because I did not have a warrant and I could do nothing about it," said Hazleton Police Chief Jerry Speziale.
Police say they had heard the home was an after-hours club and assigned undercover agents to gain access to the exclusive club.
Police said the agents were able to infiltrate the club by befriending security guards at legitimate clubs who also served as security at the illegal after-hours club.
The security guards acted as gatekeepers who would invite people they trusted to the club, police said.
Officers say when they raided the house they couldn't believe what they found.
"I didn't think it was as large scale as it is," said Speziale, who went in with 21 law enforcement agents. "The house is very deceiving, it's gigantic inside. You have a commercial kitchen running, you have hookahs, hundreds."
They had to remove almost 200 people out of the home before they could start searching, and when they did, they found serious safety hazards.
"Every window is boarded up and screwed in with foam around it," said Speziale.
Police arrested homeowners Fernando Pinales and Myra Gonzalez who are facing numerous charges including creating a public nuisance.
Investigators also say children were in the home sleeping on a mattress on the floor; those children have been placed with the proper authorities, police said.
http://www.wfmz.com/news/poconos-co...roke-up-an-illegal-after-hours-club/744569817
Officers couldn't believe what they found inside.
Hazleton police say they broke up an illegal after-hours club
HAZLETON, Pa. - Police in Hazleton broke up what they call a major after-hours club Sunday morning.
Officials say it was so big the owners were making $30,000 a night.
The investigation into 155 North Laurel Street started a year ago after a number noise complaints and hundreds of illegal parking notices.
"I was told "it's a party for my brother" and I got the door slammed in my face because I did not have a warrant and I could do nothing about it," said Hazleton Police Chief Jerry Speziale.
Police say they had heard the home was an after-hours club and assigned undercover agents to gain access to the exclusive club.
Police said the agents were able to infiltrate the club by befriending security guards at legitimate clubs who also served as security at the illegal after-hours club.
The security guards acted as gatekeepers who would invite people they trusted to the club, police said.
Officers say when they raided the house they couldn't believe what they found.
"I didn't think it was as large scale as it is," said Speziale, who went in with 21 law enforcement agents. "The house is very deceiving, it's gigantic inside. You have a commercial kitchen running, you have hookahs, hundreds."
They had to remove almost 200 people out of the home before they could start searching, and when they did, they found serious safety hazards.
"Every window is boarded up and screwed in with foam around it," said Speziale.
Police arrested homeowners Fernando Pinales and Myra Gonzalez who are facing numerous charges including creating a public nuisance.
Investigators also say children were in the home sleeping on a mattress on the floor; those children have been placed with the proper authorities, police said.
http://www.wfmz.com/news/poconos-co...roke-up-an-illegal-after-hours-club/744569817
