9 Charged After Raid At Hookah Lounge In Bridgeport: Police

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Nine people were arrested after a raid at a hookah lounge in Bridgeport early Sunday morning, according to police.

Bridgeport police launched an investigation into the illegal sale of narcotics and alcohol at the Off Da Hookah lounge at 250 Knowlton Street in May, according to police.

Police executed search warrants for the lounge, along with vehicles associated with the establishment, around 3 a.m. on Oct. 9, officials said.

On arrival, authorities found many people inside and outside the business who were “wearing security uniforms, tactical vests, and holstered firearms,” according to police.

“Identifiable security persons, patrons, owners with licensing agreements, and employees were detained,” police wrote in a news release.

Police said the following people were arrested as a result of the search warrant:

Darius Luckes, 24, of Bridgeport, was in found to be in the possession of two firearms (.380 caliber Walther semi-automatic handgun / .45 caliber Glock semi-automatic handgun), one with an extended high-capacity magazine, according to police. Luckes was charged with gun-related offenses stemming from “providing security with said firearm without a license as well as prohibited possession of a large capacity magazine,” police said.

Luckes had a valid pistol permit but neither of the two firearms were registered to him, according to police. He was charged with illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine and armed private security person without a license. He was held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

Teofilo Nivar, 45, was in the possession of a .380 caliber Iver Johnson semi-automatic handgun and was charged with offenses stemming from possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and dispensing alcohol without a license, according to police. He was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and illegal sale of alcohol - club/org. He was held in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Raul Torres-Santiago, 51, of New Haven, was in possession of one stolen firearm (9mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun) with two high-capacity magazines and a pepper-ball chemical irritant gun, according to police. Torres-Santiago was charged with offenses stemming from possession of a stolen firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a high-capacity magazine, and providing security with said firearm without a license, police said.

He was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, two counts of illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine, armed private security person without a license, carrying a dangerous weapon, and stealing a firearm. He was held in lieu of a $150,000 bond.

Romie Saunders, 31, of Naugatuck, was in possession of a 9mm Taurus semi-automatic handgun and police said he has a valid pistol permit but does not possess a “Blue Card” that would enable him to be an armed security guard. Saunders was charged with armed private security person without a license and violation of security service license requirements. He was held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

Mario Jesus Cruz, 34, of Terryville, was charged with offenses related to dispensing alcohol without a license as well as violations related to running an afterhours establishment, according to police. He was also found to have an arrest warrant out of Orange. He was charged with illegal sale of alcohol - club/org and employing an unlicensed security officer. He was held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

Ramon Bonaparte, 37, of Bridgeport, was charged with offenses related to dispensing alcohol without a license as well as violations related to running an afterhours establishment, according to police. He was charged with illegal sale of alcohol - club/org and employing an unlicensed security officer. He was held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

Angione Collin, 38, was issued a misdemeanor summons for providing security services without a license, according to police.

Marguerita Cora, 39, of New Haven, was issued a misdemeanor summons for providing security services without a license, according to police.

Usiel A. Frias-Brito, 24, of Bridgeport, was in possession of a 9mm Glock semi-automatic handgun and charged with offenses stemming from providing security with said firearm without a license, according to police. Police said Frias-Brito has a valid pistol permit but does not possess a “Blue Card” that would enable him to be an armed security guard. He was charged with armed private security person without a license and held in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

In addition to the guns, police seized several bottles of alcohol, more than $3,500 in cash, and one 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun with laser and high-capacity magazine, according to officials.