Federal, State Authorities Raid Strip Club In Tolland

TOLLAND, CT — Federal and state authorities descended on a gentleman's club in Tolland Thursday for what appeared to be an intensive raid.

Several state police cruisers and the major crimes unit mobile office were parked at the Electric Blue Cafe at 62 Merrow Road from the middle of Thursday morning well into the afternoon. Federal vehicles with homeland security agents were also at the scene.

The cafe features topless dancers.

Agents and state police could be seen constantly walking on and out of the establishment.

State police shooed the media across the street and the public information office would only say that troopers were assisting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with an investigation.

Homeland Security officials released the following statement:

"Homeland Security Investigations and law enforcement partners are participating in a joint investigation at a business in Tolland, Connecticut on Thursday morning. As this is an ongoing investigation, we’re not able to comment further at this time."

A law enforcement source hinted the investigation was centered around allegations of prostitution at the business, an assertion backed up by Town Manager Brian Foley, who said in an afternoon prepared statement that authorities have reason to believe that, for the past several years, "prostitution and sexual activity" have occurred at the Electric Blue.

Foley also used his executive powers to suspend operations there.

"Based on the written notification from our Tolland resident state trooper relating to an ongoing criminal investigation and activity within the Electric Blue Café, and with consultation of our town attorney, Rick Conti, we felt it prudent to exercise Tolland Town code 51–8, effectively suspending the license to operate the business for a period of 30 days.," Foley said. "This is now a civil legal process, and the business will be afforded opportunity for appeal as defined within code."

The Electric Blue has been fined several times and has also faced suspensions for state liquor code violations over the past several years.