Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose reports that members of the Newark Police Department’s Special Investigation Bureau arrested 62-year-old Carol G. Mattis on Thursday for maintaining a nuisance and other charges after a homicide occurred in an illegal after-hours location that Mattis has run and managed in his residence for years.
Authorities said the arrest happened a little after 10 p.m. on February 2, 2017, after members of the Newark Police Division and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office executed a search warrant at the 60 Norwood Street residence where Mr. Mattis’ illegal after-hours, basement bar is located.
The warrant was executed as part of a continuing investigation into a homicide that occurred at the bar early Thursday morning Director Ambrose said.
Mattis is charged with Maintaining an Unlicensed Liquor Establishment, Illegal Sale of Alcohol, Unlawful Possession of Alcohol and Maintaining a Nuisance.
Ambrose said he was also issued summonses for not having a Certificate of Occupancy, not having a Certificate of Occupancy Posted and not having a dance hall license.
Detectives submitted more than 100 bottles of alcohol recovered from the residence into evidence.
60 Norwood Street has been a drain on the police division’s resources for years.
Since 2012, police have been called to the address approximately 45 times in response to various problems Director Ambrose said.
The calls included one suicide which occurred at the bar, three shootings, two robberies, an auto theft, and theft from a vehicle according to Director Ambrose.
The location was also previously cited for maintaining a nuisance.
Director Ambrose said he would not tolerate Mr. Mattis operating an illegal bar and causing havoc to the Norwood Street community. “I will personally work with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to seize his property,” he added.
Members of the Essex County Homicide Task Force are continuing the homicide investigation.