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NYC Sheriff Busts Bronx Hookah Party With More Than 125 Attendees

By

David Cruz

Published Nov 7, 2020

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Two vehicles belonging to the New York City Sheriff's Office are parked outside a warehouse in the Bronx during the overnight hours of November 7th.

 

NYC Sheriff's Office

By

David Cruz

Published Nov 7, 2020

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The New York City Sheriff’s Office broke up another large party early Saturday morning, this time with more than 125 guests inside a Bronx warehouse. This party is one of a growing number of illegal parties hosted during the pandemic.

Four people were arrested in connection to the party that began Friday night at 170 West 233rd Street in Kingsbridge, according to Sheriff Joseph Fucito. Deputies learned about the gathering through social media, later staking out the 5,000-square-foot warehouse, according to Fucito’s office.

Deputies maintained a post at the site starting at 11 p.m., later witnessing 90 people walking into the warehouse where loud music was blaring inside. They also noticed "lighting consistent with a party" occupying the space. As 3 a.m. rolled in, deputies had raided the warehouse, counting more than 125 people heading inside the one-story building. Deputies found alcohol being served without a license by the State Liquor Authority, hookah pipes, and no social distancing.

After ordering the maskless party-goers to disperse and the warehouse close four people in connection to the organizing the party were hit with desk appearance tickets. They include the owner, Yasniri Espinal, who was charged with failure to protect health and safety, running an unlicensed club and violating the mayor and governor's emergency order that prohibits these gatherings. Vladimir Paulino, the party's promoter, was also hit with the same charge but fined $15,000. Rafael Sanchez Perez and Jose Rodriguez, both connected to organizing the party, were also charged with the same charge as Espinal and Paulino, along with violating the mayor and governor’s emergency orders.

The bust marks the 26th event made by the Sheriff’s Office since it was tasked to dismantle parties across New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo have barred such parties for now as a way of limiting the spread.

Illegal parties continue to pop up all over the city, including on Halloween where more than 400 people were found partying it up at a warehouse in Brooklyn. The next night, another Halloween party was broken up in the Bronx. The owner of the property did not respond to a request for comment.

A phone number connected to the property did not respond to a request for comment.

Tagged

COVID-19

sheriff's office

illegal party

bronx

David Cruz

David is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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