Elmhurst Restaurant Seen As Nuisance: Police

ELMHURST, IL – An unexpected car meet last month at Sarpino's Pizzeria prompted Elmhurst to issue the business a "chronic nuisance" warning.

In the early evening of April 15, police said they received complaints about drivers doing burnouts and revving their engines outside the pizzeria at 623 W. North Ave.

More than 100 vehicles were in the Sarpino's parking lot, according to a police report obtained through a public records request.

Nearby residents were trying to direct traffic so that none of the vehicles would go down River Glen Avenue, police said. An officer then shut down northbound traffic on the street.

According to the report, one of Sarpino's managers said the car group, Metal Militia, set up a car meet in the parking lot. The group apparently got the permission of another manager to hold the event.

Officers were told Sarpino's did not expect so many cars to show up. No permit was obtained for the event, which was set to end at 10 p.m.

Police said they notified the property owner that they wanted the event to end. The owner was not made aware of the car meet, police said.

The police department closed the entrances to the parking lot, but people continued to arrive on foot.

Officers called a towing company to bring a truck. Once the truck arrived, more of the vehicles left the parking lot, police said.

Five days later, the police department notified Sarpino's that its event was a nuisance to the community.

Police said many vehicles were parked on River Glen, blocking a residential street and hindering traffic flow and emergency vehicle access.

The influx of cars created a hazard for residents and surrounding businesses, police said.

The property owner was warned that if three or more nuisance activities occur within three months, the company may be charged.

Sarpino's, which has locations in a number of states, did not return an emailed message for comment on Tuesday.