Carol G. Mattis (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety) NEWARK — A Newark resident was charged with running an illegal basement bar at his West Ward home, where a city man was gunned down this week, authorities said Saturday.
Carol G. Mattis, 62, was arrested by members of the Newark police division’s Special Investigation Bureau late Thursday night after investigators served a search warrant at the Norwood Street house in the ongoing homicide probe, according to city Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.
The illegal after-hours bar was “causing havoc to the Norwood Street community,” Ambrose said. “I will personally work with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to seize his property.”
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Detectives seized more than 100 bottles of alcohol from the residence, according to police. Prosecutor’s office investigators and city police searched the home as part of their investigation into the shooting death of Isaac D. Brown.
Brown, 40, of Newark, was shot in the illegal bar Thursday morning, authorities said. He was declared dead at the scene around 8:40 a.m. that day and the investigation was continuing.
Ambrose said the 60 Norwood Street bar has long been a drain on police resources. Since 2012, officers have responded to the address about 45 times for a range of problems, including a suicide in the bar, three shootings, two robberies, auto theft and theft from a vehicle, he added.
Mattis faces a range of charges, including maintaining an unlicensed liquor establishment and illegal sale of alcohol there, according to Ambrose. He was also given summonses for not having a certificate of occupancy and not having a dance hall license.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has not announced any arrests in Brown’s death and urged anyone with information call 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
Brown was the fifth person slain in Newark this year compared to 12 murders through Jan. 29 last year, according to police records.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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