Trio Charged With Running Illegal Bar in Brentwood Grocery Store: Police

BRENTWOOD, NY - Two Brentwood women and one Brentwood man were arrested for running an illegal bar at a Brentwood grocery store on Monday, according to Suffolk Police.

Officers conducted an investigation at Villa Grocery on 701 Suffolk Avenue on January 9 after receiving tips from Crime Stoppers that employees were selling alcohol without a license, police said.

An officer entered the store to purchase two beers and while in the store, he noticed that there was an attached room with a bar where patrons were drinking beer, police said.

The officers then saw two employees at the store sell several beers to patrons, police said.

Police immediately conducted a State Liquor Authority inspection and found the store to be operating without a valid liquor license.

While conducting the investigation, officers also noticed counterfeit Michael Kors, Burberry, Versace and Disney bags on display for sale, police said.

The business was immediately shut down and the Islip Town Fire Marshal issued numerous violations.

Cecilia Soto, 53, was charged with third degree trademark counterfeiting, improper posting license, unlicensed bottle club, unlicensed warehouse liquor Storage and selling alcohol without a license, police said.

Jorge Lucin, 51, and Dennise Rivadenera, 22, were both also charged with selling alcohol without a license, police said

The trio were issued desk appearance tickets and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date, police said.