Bar owner faces charges after reports of shots fired

Suron Jacobs in his Central Avenue bar, Big Shots.

The owner of a central-city bar that lost its liquor license is to be arraigned in Toledo Municipal Court Wednesday after police found him and others inside with alcohol, drugs, and firearms.

Suron Jacobs, Sr., 41, of 44 Rockingham St. is charged with keeping a place where beer or intoxicating liquors are furnished in violation of the law, obstructing official business, and receiving stolen property.

Police were called to the bar he has owned for about seven years, Big Shots, 931 W. Central Ave., at 4:04 a.m. Sunday because of a report of shots fired, police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said.

The bar’s state liquor permit was revoked Nov. 28, according to a notice sent to Jaco Management Inc., the company listed as the bar’s owners, dated Nov. 16.

“Apparently he didn't get the meaning of ‘no liquor license,’ ” Sergeant Heffernan said.

When police arrived, they knocked on a door and heard a commotion inside. Someone looked out from the bar, saw officers, and retreated, according to a police incident report.

Police knocked again, but ultimately forced entry into the establishment.

Police said about 15 people were inside, including Jacobs and his son Suron Jacobs, Jr., 22, and a 16-year-old girl. Police said they found numerous bottles of alcohol — both opened and sealed — shell casings on the floor, marijuana packaged for distribution, and a stolen 22-caliber long-rifle piston.

The gun was found in the elder Jacobs’ office; it was not clear when or from whom it was stolen.

The younger Jacobs, of 1541 Cone St., is charged with obstructing official business and disorderly conduct while intoxicated.

He is to be arraigned Wednesday in municipal court as well.

In charging documents, police allege that the younger Jacobs, who told police he was the manager of the bar, tried to “roll away” from police during a pat-down.

The tavern has been the site of frequent police response in the last few years.

In June, Theodore Walker, 27, was shot inside the bar when he got into a fight with another man, police have said. He was chased out of the bar by the gunman, who continued to fire. Mr. Walker was shot in his right arm and had a graze wound to the side of his head.

In March, police raided the spot, arresting 33 people, after receiving numerous complaints about the bar. Police found drugs and counterfeit money during that raid.

In 2009, police shot and killed a man outside the bar after he fired at officers.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at: tdungjen@theblade.com or 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @taylordungjen.