Police in Newark are reporting that members of the Vice Task Force arrested Mr. Eric G. Thorpe, 37, of Morristown, and Ms. Marilia Soares, 50, of Newark, for operating an illegal alcohol establishment in separate incidents.
According to authorities, police responded to 219 Emmet Street at approximately 3:15 a.m. today -Saturday- on complaints about the illegal sale of alcohol and large crowds leaving this location in the early morning hours.
Police say upon entering the establishment, officers observed a man, Eric G. Thorpe, working as a security guard and multiple cases of assorted beers.
Authorities said Thorpe was unable to produce the required liquor license and was immediately arrested.
Two other workers, Ms. Nicole R. Davis, 34, of Netcong, and Mr. Chris Scott, 37, of Morristown, entered the establishment carrying additional alcoholic beverages and were also arrested.
Police charged Thorpe with Maintaining an Unlicensed Liquor Establishment and Unlawful Possession of Alcohol. Davis and Scott each face charges of Aiding and Abetting an Unlicensed Liquor Establishment.
According to police, in a separate incident, officers responded to 148 Rome Street at approximately 8:40 p.m. yesterday on citizen complaints about the illegal sale of alcohol and the presence of gambling machines.
Responding officers observed a woman, Ms. Marilia Soares, behind a bar and five gambling machines at the location.
Police confiscated assorted beers and numerous bottles of alcohol and wine, along with $419.00 in proceeds from the illegal sale of alcohol.
Soares was unable to provide a liquor license for the establishment and was immediately arrested. She is charged with Maintaining an Unlicensed Liquor Establishment, Unlawful Possession of Alcohol and Possession of Gambling Devices.
These charges are merely accusations.
Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.