Pittsburgh restaurant raided after police reported illegal alcohol sales

After two undercover visits, state and Pittsburgh police on Friday raided a Strip District restaurant they said was serving alcohol without a liquor license.

Troopers from the state Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement seized 116 gallons of malt or brewed alcohol and about 1,035 liters of liquor and wine from Savoy on Penn Avenue, according to state police.

The establishment had its liquor license suspended Oct. 29 after violations of a conditional license with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Police said numerous complaints that Savoy remained open were confirmed by the two undercover visits.

“I was shocked, to be honest with you. There were 50 police down here. My staff was frightened. I was, like, ‘Where’s due process?’ ” Savoy owner Charles Sanders told Tribune-Review partner WPXI-TV. “I’m not saying I’m not guilty of what the infraction was. I don’t know. That’s what I’m saying. What’s the process? Where’s the judge? It definitely seems they made me guilty before innocent.”

Savoy has been shut down twice by Allegheny County Health Department inspectors for not following restrictions meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The first came in September and the second in November, according to health department inspection records.

In September, the restaurant was ordered closed for seven days after inspectors saw violations in the number of people inside and drinks being served without a food purchase, as is required under current state mandates. Five days later, a closed placard in the restaurant’s door had been removed, according to inspections.

Savoy was permitted to reopen Sept. 25 and, about a month later, ordered to close. Inspectors found similar violations that amounted to an “imminent public health hazard,” according to an inspection report. Days after the violations were reported, inspectors found the restaurant was operating without a permit.

Officers with the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement in Pittsburgh have issued 98 citations and 413 warnings since July 1 related to establishments that weren’t following state guidelines in response to the pandemic. Those administrative citations could result in a fine or suspension of a liquor license.