Suffolk County Police last night arrested the owner and an employee of an East Patchogue sports bar and restaurant for having illegal gambling machines on the premises among other violations.
In response to community complaints, Fifth Precinct Crime Section officers, in conjunction with the Brookhaven Fire Marshal, Brookhaven Town Code Enforcement, the Suffolk County Health Department and NY State Liquor Authority to perform a compliance check at El Limeño, located at 1160 Montauk Highway, at approximately 10:20 p.m. The check was conducted in response to numerous community complaints and an uptick in police calls for service at the location.
The establishment was issued numerous citations by the agencies assisting in the compliance check, two illegal gambling devices were seized, and two individuals were arrested:
• The owner/manager of the business, David Reyes, 60, of Holbrook, for employment of a security guard without a valid registration card.
• Jesus Roman, 61, of Bay Shore, for being employed as a security guard without a valid registration.
Both men were issued Field Appearance Tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on January 31.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.