Owner of The Party Store in Superior Township failed to cooperate with police during drug investigation, complaint alleges
The owner of The Party Store in Superior Township “failed to cooperate” with police during a drug investigation this month, a complaint filed Thursday with the state Liquor Control Commission alleges.
The commission suspended the MacArthur Boulevard store’s liquor license in August after investigators say they made undercover drug buys inside.
According to the latest allegation, Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies visited the store Sept. 6 to investigate reports that a few customers used state-issued food stamp debit cards, also known as bridge cards, to buy “marijuana and alcohol,” a sheriff’s department report said.
The cards are intended to be used to buy groceries and other food items.
When deputies arrived, an employee called the store’s owner, Ziad Abuziad, who told investigators if they hadn’t “seen anyone with drugs or alcohol,” they needed to leave, the report said.
When deputies told Abuziad they were allowed to be there, Abuziad said “he would find out and hung up,” according to the report.
Deputies asked an employee to call Abuziad back, and he told investigators he knew nothing about the allegations, the report said. He also said that if deputies thought the allegations were true, they should “make another raid,” the report said.
Abuziad apparently was referring to the execution of a search warrant July 31, when investigators say they seized an unregistered handgun, crack cocaine paraphernalia and drugs from an employee.
The sheriff’s office, which has launched a crackdown on crime in the neighborhood, submitted a report on the latest incident to the commission on Sept. 14, state officials said.
The commission canceled a hearing on the license suspension after the state Attorney General's office issued the complaint Thursday. It's the second complaint in about two months.
No other hearings have yet been scheduled.
Abuziad’s attorney, Jeffrey Lance Abood, who was notified of the complaint Friday, called it a “desperate move” to build a case against the store.
“It’s childish behavior on the part of the police,” Abood said. “By my client asking them what they’re doing in the store, it seems like their feelings got hurt and that’s why they brought this. This could constitute harassment.”
The sheriff’s department’s duty is to investigate reports of criminal activity, said Derrick Jackson, the department’s director of community engagement. The owner ordered deputies to leave the store, Jackson said.
“We have a duty to keep the community safe,” Jackson said. “If there’s criminal behavior going on, we’re going to investigate it. That’s not necessarily picking on someone.”
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at leehiggins@annarbor.com or 734-623-2527.
Comments
Mrs.Me
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 12:09 a.m.
has the crime in the neighborhood gone down because of superior party store losing their liquer license? or is it due to the heavy police presence? Saturday october 17th sometime in the evening, gun shots rang out through the air. I havent heard what was going on but I can tell you, if whomever was shooting was drunk they sure didnt get their drinks from superior party store! It has been long enough. With the economy the way it is everyone needs every dime they can earn. Why should I have to drive miles away to a store for a cold beer when there is a store within walking distance? Again I say the store is not the problem. Some of the tenants and their "guests" are the real problem. punish the ones who deserve it. Not the whole neighborhood.
Mrs.Me
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 11 p.m.
Taking the stores liquer liscense will not stop these fools from being ignorant. your simply punishing those who really utilize the stores resources.I understand trying to clean up the community but harrasing people is totaly different. The store and its owners are not the only ones being harrassed by the police and new rules to "clean up" the neighborhood,anyone who fits their "description" for the day seem to be suspect.like the rental offices the police know where the "thugs" and "drug dealers" live. i say force the bad seeds out and stop punishing everybody...
me
Mon, Oct 5, 2009 : 9:21 a.m.
This is the only store in that area. Everyone is not looking for dope etc when they go to that store. Most people in that area don't even have a car. How will they get things such as diapers, food, beverages, milk etc. This store provides that!!!! Just because you can drive where ever you want to shop, doesn't mean its the same for many others in that area. Now, I do agree that the store needs to be cleaned up. I live in a sub-division just around the corner and I buy things there because its very CLOSE and quick to get to. I have three cars, so yes, I could go elsewhere, but why do I have to drive 5 miles away when a store is one mile away? The thugs, drug dealers, and all the crap needs to be dealt with. I even told the owner this. He needs to clean things up in a big way...or he'll be subject to scrutiny even if he nor his employees are apart of the troublesome activities. This owner gives to people all the time. Food, milk, lunch meat etc. People don't have much in that area. He's always giving away things and taking a loss in his pocket. The guy and this store deserves a chance to get things together. If not, its his fault if the store gets shut down etc. There is no place for such activity near a party store. Just like people in that area needs that daycare (next to store), people also need a store nearby.This owner has been told that he shouldn't give people free items. Why? Its his money. He should be able to give out as much free food etc that he wants.....its his store and his items. Why is he being picked on in this way? Drugs, crowds, and all violence must go if this owner is to keep his store. If this happens, he should be rewarded by getting his license back. I don't like the people I see there....just hanging around doing nothing. All this has to go, but the owner is a good guy....and he's very kind.
gibby76
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 : 1:49 p.m.
ohh perhaps you think the police should raid all liquor stores so no one can LEGALLY buy alcohol. Last i checked beer and whiskey were not illegal. ONLY reason this is on Superior township's radar screen is its JUST outside of Ypsi's jurisdiction. That doesn't give the cops the right to harass them however. On the flip side, I don't think the owner is doing himself any favors by antagonizing the police. He needs to rein in his employess IF indeed there is trafficking of pot going on there.
laurie in ypsi
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 : 11:41 a.m.
I accidentally pulled into this place a few weeks ago and couldn't get out of that parking lot fast enough. The people hanging out at that place! And this was AFTER they lost their license because there was a big sign in the window saying no beer or liquor which I thought was odd for a liquor store...makes sense now after reading this. And is there not a children center right next to it? Or am I thinking of the wrong local on MarArthur? As a community, we need to take a zero tolerance of this nonsense and close these places down that profit from the undoing of a society.
notnecessary
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 : 10:28 a.m.
@city people stop buying this stuff because you want the government thugs to take their piece instead of the street thugs?
Concern1752
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 : 8:47 a.m.
It's time for this area to get safer for our families, I refuse to stop at the store because of the characters that hang out in front of the store. There are a lot of families in this area, we need a safe environment to raise our family, I say clean up the area and the store. The store is closest in this area where children want to walk to but it is not safe and the prices are a complete rip off, something needs to be done.
Gfish
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 : 8:35 a.m.
It has been so nice and quiet at that store, I am so glad they took their license for selling liquior, or beer. I always thought about the children over their. The police and everyone is doing a great job keeping the crime down. God bless and we are praying for our community. Thank You
city
Mon, Sep 28, 2009 : 6:24 p.m.
I would love to see ATF,FBI and all local law ddepartments to go to "All" stores like this one and clean up all the stuff they sell at the counters that is or bought as Bootleg, un-taxed items that is shipped into this country and has not paid Fed or State Tax on!!! People Stop Buying this stuff!!!