Wayne Chipotle Reopens Thursday After Drug Bust: Health Officer

WAYNE, PA – The Lancaster Avenue Chipotle that was in the center of a drug investigation has reopened Thursday after closing temporarily for health reasons, according health department officials and the restaurant's management.

Radnor Township Health Officer Larry Taltoan said the eatery was cleared to open after it was deemed clean following Wednesday's police activities at the restaurant.

The restaurant was temporarily closed Wednesday after Radnor Police arrested 22-year-old employee Robert Lane and Kyhdeem-Ahmad Shoatz, 24, on marijuana-related charges.

Radnor police said the store was closed so health officers could ensure none of the food in the eatery was tainted by the marijuana Lane allegedly handled.

Police said Chipotle's staff and management have been cooperating with police as the case unfolds.

Police said the arrests came after police learned of potential drug activity at the restaurant and undercover drug purchases were set up.

Police said at least 3/4 of a pound of marijuana was found in Wednesday's bust, as well as drug paraphernalia in a toilet tank in the restaurant.

Lane faces 24 charges, including felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; felony conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; criminal use of a communication facility; and related drug charges. Shoatz faces 10 charges including felony conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; criminal use of a communication facility; and other drug-related charges.

Both Lane and Shoatz were held after failing to post 10 percent of $30,000 bail after being arraigned Wednesday afternoon, court records show.

A third person, 23-year-old Briana Davis, was hit with a misdemeanor charge while a fourth person, who is a Chipotle employee, was questioned and released without arrest.

Police said over recent years, several area businesses have had employees selling drugs out of them, with the most recent incident being at Estia Taverna in Radnor when a bartender was arrested for allegedly selling cocaine to undercover officers.

Images via Radnor Township Police