Virginia ABC Suspends Alcohol Licenses At Purple Lounge

ARLINGTON, VA — The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority temporarily suspended the alcohol licenses of the Purple Ethiopian Restaurant and Lounge, LLC, after the Arlington eatery violated the terms of an agreement it had reached last month with the regulatory agency, according to an Arlington County release. The licenses were suspended for 10 days and reinstatement depends upon approval by Virginia ABC.

Arlington County Police were conducting a surveillance around 10:51 p.m., on Thursday, of the Purple Lounge parking lot, located in 3100 block of Columbia Pike. The officers observed suspicious activity with narcotics use inside an occupied vehicle. Police made contact with the occupants and found they were intoxicated and using controlled substances, according to the release.

Police arrested Dasia Spivey, 25, of Alexandria, and Moulayali Halhoul, 25, of Washington, D.C. ACPD charged Spivey with driving under the influence, possession of controlled substance I/II and open container. They also charged Halhoul with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm while in possession of schedule II drugs, possession of controlled substance II, and carrying concealed weapon by a felon. Both Spivey and Halhoul are being held without bond.

ACPD notified Virginia ABC of the arrests and the observations of the officers that no security personnel were patrolling the restaurant's parking lot, which was required as part of it agreement with the regulatory agency. Virginia ABC determined the Purple Lounge was not complying with the following restrictions:

• Restriction #4: The licensee agrees to have at least four (4) clearly identified Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) certified security personnel on duty every day of operation between the hours of 9 p.m. and closing with at least one (1) guard assigned to patrol and monitor the parking lot, who will begin monitoring the parking lot no later than 8:30 p.m. and will remain on duty after closing until the parking lot has been cleared or until at least thirty (30) minutes after closing (whichever is longer).
• Restriction #5: The licensee will not permit any loitering, loud music or drinking in the parking lot at any time.

Virginia ABC and ACPD served the Purple Lounge Friday night with a Notice of Surrender.