Perrysburg club raided after claims of illegal drinking

A drug-sniffing police dog is prepared for its role as police officers move in for the raid.

Several people were expected to be taken into custody early this morning by about three dozen police officers who raided a Perrysburg teen dance club last night.

Authorities said they raided Caspers Teen Night Club, 12615 Roachton Rd., after getting confirmation from undercover officers shortly after 10 p.m. that illegal beer sales were occurring at the establishment.

The club does not have a liquor license.

A Bedford Township man who manages the facility was among the first to be arrested.

David Nelson Boyd, 57, of 9950 Summerfield Rd., Temperance, was detained inside the club for about an hour and taken to the Perrysburg police department just after midnight, where he was charged with selling beer without a permit and contributing to the delinquency of minors. He was being held on $7,500 bond and was expected to appear Monday in front of Perrysburg Municipal Judge Dwight Osterud.

Other charges are pending, including some from the Ohio Liquor Control Commission, agent Earl Mack said.

Mr. Boyd declined to comment as he was led to a police car.

A drug-sniffing police dog is prepared for its role as police officers move in for the raid.

Sgt. J.D. Justus of the Perryburg police said authorities decided to investigate Caspers after an officer on Wednesday came across a flyer that announced a “rave” party would be held at the club last night.

Undercover officers from the city and the Liquor Control Commission went inside the establishment about 10 p.m. and reported preliminary findings.

By about 10:45 p.m., Judge Osterud deemed that there was probable cause for a search and signed a warrant.

A procession of 19 police cars and two police vans converged on the scene at 11 p.m., with officers blocking the doors.

Most of those who were in attendance at the party were between 18 and 25, but at least two minors allegedly were served beer, Sergeant Justus said.

Police said they expected to remain on the scene well into the morning trying to decide who would be charged other than Mr. Boyd.

The raid is the latest in a string of incidents at the teen club. In just over two years - it opened on Oct. 8, 1998 - Perrysburg police have logged 185 calls there.

Incidents have included underage consumption, aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, drug possession, resisting arrest, theft, sexual offenses, and fire code violations, according to a statement issued by the police department.

In August, police said they were looking for two men who allegedly asked girls to lift their tops and videotaped them exposing themselves.

“We're devoting a lot of manpower out here,” Sergeant Justus said late last night.

Officers from Perrysburg, Perrysburg Township, Wood County, and the Liquor Control Commission participated in the raid.

James Meagher, Jr., 21, of East Toledo, said it's a “good place to meet people,” although he acknowledged he had seen some disturbances at the club.