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Philly Area Liquor Stores Closed Due To Looting, Officials Say

All liquor stores in Philadelphia — and one in Montgomery County — are closed after the looting that took place throughout the city on Tuesday night, Sept. 26. 

Footage uploaded to Citizen shows police cars along Philadelphia streets Tuesday night, Sept. 27.

Footage uploaded to Citizen shows police cars along Philadelphia streets Tuesday night, Sept. 27.

Photo Credit: Citizen

"Last night, at least 18 Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores were looted," said Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board spokesman Shawn Kelly. 

"Fortunately no employees were hurt, although some were understandably shaken."

Every location in Philly and the Cheltenham Plaza location in Wyncote stayed closed Wednesday, Sept. 27, "in the interest of employee safety and while we assess the damage and loss that occurred," Kelly said. 

"We will reopen stores when it is safe to do so and when the damage is repaired," he said, adding that it's too soon to assess the damage. 

Footage of the aftermath was uploaded to Citizen.

Police have said some 100 people in Center City, West Philadelphia, and on Aramingo Avenue in Port Richmond ransacked retail stores beginning around 8 p.m. Tuesday night. 

Of them, roughly 20 have been taken into custody. 

The looting occurred hours after a municipal judge dismissed all charges against PPD Officer Mark Dial for fatally shooting 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry during a traffic stop in August. 

Interim police Commissioner John Stanford called the looters "criminal opportunists (who took) advantage of a situation" and said the incidents "had nothing to do with the protest" that took place near City Hall the same night. 

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has said his office will seek to reinstate the charges against Dial. 

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