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Accompanied by city firefighters and building inspectors, members of the Paterson Police ABC/Vice Division began hitting the joints around 10 p.m.
“The establishments have been a significant source of complaints from concerned citizens in the area regarding quality of life complaints – specifically, loud music, illegal gambling, selling alcohol without a license, hookah smoking and functioning as “‘after-hours’ establishments until 5-8 a.m. in the morning,” Police Director Jerry Speziale said.
Speziale said police seized:
- Two Keno machines;
- A poker table;
- 89 bottles of hard liquor and wine;
- 52 cases of beer;
- $4,960 in illegal proceeds.
The biggest haul was at Café Uno, at 318 Grand Street.
Police arrested the owner, Izet Sobovic, 54, of Astoria, and the manager, 34-year-old Rodmila Vukcevic of Paterson, both for maintaining a gambling resort, promoting gambling and possession of the Keno machines, the director said.
The business also was cited for selling alcohol without a license, smoking in public not having a pool license, he said.
Also raided and served with various summonses involving illegal alcohol sales and other offenses were:
- Café Trend at 304 Grand Street;
- Grand Café at 302 Grand Street;
- Deli 011 at 296 Grand Street
- Bulkan Café at 293 Grand Street.
“These locations are impeding and eroding the quality of life and we will continue to strictly enforce these locations,” Speziale said.
“My administration is adamant about enforcing the law,” Mayor Andrea Sayegh added. “We will not tolerate illegal activity.
“I am proud of our task force's work during last night's operation,” the mayor said Saturday.
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