LAKE IN THE HILLS – Lake in the Hills officials are in communication with Moretti's restaurant representatives about their security concerns after four men were charged with dealing narcotics at that establishment, a police official said.
Police Chief David Brey said he, Village President Paul Mulcahy and Village Administrator Jerry Sagona met Monday with two representatives from Moretti's corporate office to discuss concerns about the criminal activity at the bar. Moretti's transitions into Club 220 North at 11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and remains open until 4 a.m.
Brey said the representatives were cooperative and said they would inform the police department of what security or protocol changes they would make in response to the incident. They also said they intend to stay in "constant communication" with police, Brey said.
"I have no complaints with the way they dealt with us," Brey said. "They were very responsive. I have no doubt they're going to do what they need to do to get things cleaned up."
Brey said local managers of Moretti's have been responsive to past concerns. He also said police had increased patrols of uniformed officers at the bar during the investigation.
At the Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, Mulcahy said the restaurant owners were "extremely concerned" and "extremely contrite" in the meeting and shocked and angry about the criminal activity.
Moretti's Corporate General Manager Jim Earley said he felt it was a good, positive meeting and that he has begun changes to address the concern.
"We absolutely agree with them and made internal changes that should solve the problem," Earley said. "We were totally unaware of it. None of our staff were involved. I was kind of in shock."
Brey said the village began investigating possible illegal activity at the establishment after receiving several complaints about patrons possibly selling cocaine. Police collaborated with the McHenry County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Task Force on an undercover investigation and later obtained warrants for four men, who were later arrested.
None of the men had any association with Moretti's, police said.
McHenry County Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Muraski said the task force were able to link the men to other establishments in Crystal Lake and Algonquin but did their investigation at Moretti's because they were able to identify a certain time they would be there.
He said the task force handles several cases every year that may involve narcotic activity inside businesses.
"Other agencies throughout the county contact us pretty often, especially in regards to bar or liquor establishments to make sure they are in compliance," Muraski said.
Several Lake in the Hills trustees said they would like to hear the owners' plan to increase security and prevent future criminal activity at Moretti's, although others questioned whether the Village Board had the right to ask for that.
Trustees also said Moretti's is the only business in town with a liquor license allowing alcohol sales until 4 a.m., and some suggested pulling that license if the concerns are not resolved.
"If we need to threaten them with that 4 o'clock license, I think we should do that," Trustee Ray Bogdanowski said. "This is a must, to get this problem solved."
Said Mulcahy: "They really, completely understand the magnitude of the privilege their liquor license is."
Victor E. Velasco, 39, of Lakemoor; Jason M. Silberbauer, 25, of Lake in the Hills; Lukas Cerniauskas, 22, of Crystal Lake; and Christopher S. Caceras, 38, of Cary, face charges after the investigation.
Velasco, Silberbaur and Cerniauskas were arrested May 2, and Caceras was arrested Tuesday in Fox River Grove after being tracked down by a Lake County K-9 unit. He faces additional charges after police said he punched a Fox River Grove officer and ran away from police.