Illegal bar in NJ warehouse shut down over coronavirus violations

An illegal bar being operated out of a New Jersey warehouse was busted on Sunday morning with hundreds of people inside.

The bar was discovered by detectives from the Newark Police vice crimes task force around midnight, according to a statement from Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose. 

There were more than 200 people inside the warehouse eating, drinking alcohol and gambling, according to police.

The festivities violated pandemic restrictions limiting large indoor gatherings aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. 

The current order, implemented by Gov. Phil Murphy (D), limits general indoor gatherings to 10 people, and attendees are required to wear face coverings and stay six feet apart.

It is unclear if the speakeasy patrons were wearing face masks.

Detectives observed two women selling alcoholic beverages from behind a “makeshift” bar but they were unable to provide paperwork proving they are licensed, Ambrose said.

Denisse Tinizaray, 26, and Katherine Tinizaray, 28, were both arrested for maintaining an illegal liquor establishment, illegal possession of alcohol and illegal sale of alcohol.

This is the second illegal bar broken up in New Jersey this month. Police said 45 people were discovered inside a Chambersburg row house where a resident was charging $5 a beer, NJ.com reported.