Raid of ‘Notorious’ Social Club Leads To Arrests

From Bill Kaempffer, Bridgeport Police spokesman:

State and local law enforcement early Sunday executed a search and seizure warrant at a notorious illegal social club. Police arrested David Elerby, 44, of Stratford, the owner of L and A Social Club, 1512 Stratford Ave. for liquor violations. Police entered the operation at 2:45 a.m. and found 70 people inside the location.

The business and its predecessor, L and A Billiards, have posed consistent quality-of-life problems for East Side residents, been the site of numerous violent acts and the scene of a recent homicide.

“I believe it speaks for itself that the owner of this establishment was carrying a gun and wearing a ballistic vest when we entered,” said Police Chief Joseph Gaudett. “I can’t say enough about the work of Capt. Robert Gearing and his patrol officers and the rapport they have with the community. They helped build the foundation for this investigation.”

The warrant was obtained as a result of the unauthorized sale of alcohol, dispensing liquor without a license and sale of narcotics.

Bridgeport Sgt. Jason Amato and members of the State Police Gang Task Force secured the warrant. The Bridgeport Police Department’s patrol division, the Emergency Services Unit, Tactical Narcotics Team, along with Fairfield and Stratford police, assisted in its execution.

In addition to Elerby, police also arrested George Sharpe, 46, of 1510 Stratford Ave. on various liquor charges.

Two other people were arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants.

“This business was a tragedy waiting to happen. It made the people who lived near it miserable and the people who patronized it, nightly targets,” said Capt. James Viadero. “It illustrates our strong state and federal partnerships. I hope the operation sent a strong message to the community that this behavior wont be tolerated.”