MARION – A man has been cited for Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, Aggravated Assault and Disorderly Conduct after Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies responded early Saturday morning to a “fight in progress” at B&B Shisha Lounge – a hookah lounge (bar) – located at 8230 Old Route 13 in rural Marion.
According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Gregory A. Robinson was arrested, cited, and taken to the Williamson County Jail.
When deputies arrived shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday, they spoke with the owner of the bar who said that a black male in a hoodie, later identified as Robinson, attempted to enter the bar with a handgun. The owner said Robinson got angry with him and then entered his vehicle with several other people to leave. The owner stated he saw Robinson point a silver handgun at him as he was spinning his tires to leave. Responding deputies recovered one live Luger 9mm round from the parking lot.
Deputies attempted to speak with other witnesses on scene, however, they were unsuccessful as no one would cooperate. Additionally, the owner had video surveillance on his property, but did not provide it.
Then at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, Carterville Police responded to a disturbance at Huck’s Convenience Store located at the intersection of Illinois Route 13 and Greenbriar Road. Police discovered Robinson was present at the disturbance and he was detained in reference to the previous incident.
Deputies responded to the scene and Robinson was taken into custody and cited for the offenses we mentioned at the beginning of this story. He was taken to and remanded into the custody of the Williamson County Jail.
During the investigation it was documented that the owner is continuing to operate an unlicensed liquor establishment and charges a monetary cover charge at the door and serves alcoholic beverages.
“Unlicensed liquor establishments are intentionally circumventing regulations that are in place for public safety. Legitimate licensed liquor establishments are subjected to routine inspections, bar checks during operating hours, and must adhere to designated operating hours (usually 2 a.m.). In this incident law enforcement responded to armed, disorderly, and intoxicated crowds at 4 a.m. This has been a consistent outcome involving three unlicensed liquor establishments in Williamson County over the past several years. At least two have experienced large disturbances and/or shots fired calls including one with multiple vehicles being struck by gunfire,” Sheriff Jeff Diederich said.
Following a lengthy investigation and the eventual arrest of the owners of one unlicensed liquor establishment, that facility has permanently closed.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Carterville Police Department, Energy Police Department, Marion Police Department, the Illinois Liquor Commission, and Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for their assistance in this matter.
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate.
