After months of stabbings, a shooting, and multiple arrests, officers of the 106th Precinct padlocked the Aura Ultra Lounge last week, shutting down the nightclub right before the start of the weekend.
It all happened on Tuesday night, June 8, as a dozen officers, including Special Operations Lieutenant Joseph Salvato, changed the locks and posted court-ordered closing and restraining order signs on the former Club Chemistry, located at 98-07 Liberty Avenue.
Two Emergency Service Unit (ESU) personnel were on hand and used a gas-powered circular saw to slice open an existing lock on a roll-down gate. One interior door was also opened.
“There has been a lot of crime, just from this location,” said Salvato.
This includes, according to police, a large fight on October 30 of last year, in which two bouncers were stabbed; sale of liquor to minors; and 19 arrests following a shooting and stabbings on January 29. Of those arrested, say cops, 11 were Trinitarios gang members; of the seven victims, five belonged to the Trinitarios; and one of the two witnesses was a Crips gang member.
Additionally, there have been assaults, robberies and grand larcenies.
The owner, identified as “Tree,” arrived as the officers were locking up, and was told what was happening.
“You have a court date, and the club can be closed for up to 12 calendar months,” one officer told him.
He was not allowed inside the location, and said that he did, in fact, have an attorney.
Further attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.
Salvato said that there will be patrols to ensure that no one attempts entry to the club.
In fact, the 106 has been vigilant when it comes to local clubs.
During the previous weekend, on Friday, June 4, officers set up a check point, license plate check and had 24 cops assigned to the area around the Shipwreck Club, on 121st Street and Rockaway Boulevard, where they say there has been underage drinking, stabbings and marijuana use. A year ago, they also closed the Office Lounge.
