WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. -- One person faces several charges after an incident at an unlicensed liquor establishment where he allegedly brought a gun to.
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said it happened on December 30, a little after 4 a.m. Deputies went to 8230 Old Route 13 in the Marion area, a place known as the B&B Shisha Lounge.
“The location has been the site of numerous calls for service, disturbances, a search warrant, and is the subject of an ongoing unlicensed liquor establishment investigation,� the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Once deputies got on scene, they spoke to the owner who said someone went inside the bar with a gun, identified as Gregory Robinson.
The sheriff’s office then said the owner told them that Robinson allegedly got into his vehicle with other people to leave and pointed a silver gun at the owner at one point.
Deputies on scene found a Luger 9mm round on the parking lot.
Later, the Carterville Police Department responded to a local gas station at Illinois Route 13 and Greenbriar Road. Authorities found Robinson was there at the time of a disturbance.
Robinson was taken into custody and cited for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.
The sheriff of Williamson County, Jeff Diederich, also commented on unlicensed liquor businesses.
Sheriff Jeff Diederich stated, “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 2am).
In this incident law enforcement responded to armed, disorderly, and intoxicated crowds at 4:00 am.
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.�
Robinson was taken to the Williamson County Jail.
Assisting in the investigation was the Carterville Police Department, Energy Police Department, Marion Police Department, the Illinois Liquor Commission, and Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson.
