City cops probe Dragon Palace

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Police issued citations to two people at the Dragon Palace restaurant on South Avenue and are investigating more reported criminal activity at the business.

Police issued misdemeanor citations to Laura Neely, 31, of West Boston Avenue, and Kali Woods, 22, of Cleveland, at the restaurant Friday for not having the proper permit required to operate as a liquor establishment and violations of city codes on private clubs.

Neither woman was taken into custody, but instead issued a citation and summons to appear in court.

Officers went to the restaurant at 3504 South Ave. for an investigation after seeing an advertisement for a “Mid Winter Wet Dream Aquarius Birthday Bash” indicating a $5 cover charge and alcoholic beverage specials. Police reports say no occupancy permit or liquor license have been issued for the building.

Reports say Neely was collecting a $5 admission from men coming into the restaurant. Woods, reports said, was seated at a table with one bottle of vodka and one bottle of brandy and several stacks of plastic cups.

Police said neither woman could offer a consistent explanation of the activities inside the building or identify the owner or manager of the facility.

Police said an inspection revealed a separate room at the back of the building likely used as a clubhouse for the Afro Dogs Motorcycle Club. Police found various Afro Dog signs throughout the facility and members eating, drinking and shooting pool. There also was a refrigerator stocked with various alcoholic beverages.

There was a zoning permit for the building to be used as a community center.

Police have responded to calls at the business on two other occasions this month.

A Youngstown woman has been charged with aggravated burglary and felonious assault after an altercation there early Jan. 1.

Amber Grimm, 26, told police she broke a window and the front door to enter the establishment after she was refused at the door. Once inside, she said she fired several shots into the air with a black handgun a friend had given her.

Grimm said she was jumped by several men when she left the bar and said she fired again when they tried to disarm her. Grimm was treated for several cuts to her face she said she received when one of the men took her handgun and struck her in the face.

According to the police report, officers did not recover Grimm’s weapon, and Grimm believes it was taken by one of the men who jumped her.

A 21-year-old Liberty man told police he was shot in the knee while he was inside the Dragon Palace at about 3:45 a.m. Jan. 16.

The victim said a man was waving a gun around at the bar, so he ran out the front door but realized he’d been hit by gunfire.