Night of Misdemeanors: Police Bust Bar in Copiague for Gambling, Drug Offenses, and Serving Minors
Suffolk County Police arrested a man during a State Liquor Authority inspection at a bar in Copiague last night.
First Precinct Crime Section, First Precinct Community Support Unit and First Precinct Patrol officers were conducting an investigation in conjunction with the State Liquor Authority and the Town of Babylon Building Inspector, Fire Marshal, and Code Enforcement at La Glorieta De Martin Bar, located at 377 Oak Street, at approximately 9:45 p.m. One owner of the bar, Hicela Huete Merino De Artoloa, 45, of Lindenhurst, was charged with Disorderly Premise, a misdemeanor. Another owner, Jose Artolo, 49, of Copiague, was charged with Disorderly Premise, a misdemeanor, as well as two misdemeanor gambling offenses. An employee, Kater Collado Marte, 30, of Copiague, was charged with two counts of Unlawfully Dealing With a Child, a misdemeanor, after serving alcohol to persons under 21.
Four patrons of the establishment were arrested for various misdemeanor drug and/or gambling offenses, and one patron was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon (dagger knife), a misdemeanor. The Town of Babylon will issue numerous summonses to the owners at a later date. The business has been referred to the State Liquor Authority for further investigation. The establishment has been shut down by authority of the Town of Babylon.
All of the above arrestees were issued appearance tickets and are due to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on November 30, 2023.