Authorities execute search warrant at Brandy's Market in Ypsilanti
Authorities executed a search warrant this morning at Brandy's Market during an investigation into allegations that the store made illegal tobacco sales and purchased stolen items, an Ypsilanti police news release said.
Michigan State Police, Ypsilanti police and Michigan Liquor Control Commission officials executed the warrant at 11 a.m. after a month-long undercover investigation into the West Michigan Avenue store, the release said.
It's unclear what was seized. Ypsilanti police Det. Sgt. Troy Fulton could not be reached for comment this afternoon.
The store allegedly made illegal tobacco sales to undercover officers during the investigation, the release said. According to the release, Ypsilanti fire officials condemned the store today because of electrical issues and structural concerns.
The store's owners could not be reached for comment.
Comments
DDD
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 6:09 p.m.
Apparently some employees were putting in orders to undercover agents and paying them when they returned with the goods. Steve Pierce wrote a great story on the month long investigation. http://ypsinews.com/index.php/201009-troubled-brandys-liquor-store-shut-down-by-city/
Michael L
Fri, Sep 10, 2010 : 8:41 p.m.
Well, unfortunately they are back in business and reopened today. The riff-raff is back.
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 5:30 a.m.
angela, are you talking ypsilanti? downtown is between hamilton and river street. ypd is two blocks west of hamilton. brandy's is about a 1/4 mile west of that. it's not downtown ypsilanti. perhaps annarbor.com can do a poll and ask
brianbsafe
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 12:10 a.m.
It's about time and hopefully they will keep this store closed,not only is this store close to YPD,theirs several churches in the area as well.Thanks to YPD and all who was involved shutting the doors on this property,forever hopefully.
angela
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 9:48 p.m.
My comment was removed, it mentioned how we have to gingerly dance around the real issues in ypsilanti and the removal just tells me I didnt dance gingerly enough, by the way this dump is a block or two away from the police station, the police station is downtown.
Cash
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 1:56 p.m.
Angela, Brandy's is at least 8-10 blocks west of Downtown Ypsilanti. The Westside neighborhood has complained about this store and there was a lot of hoopla last winter at council meeting about it. The owners were going to "clean it up". Residents can complain but they can't close the store.
tdw
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 12:28 p.m.
Interesting that no one mentioned that this place is only about 3 blocks from the police station
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.
angela, this place is FAR from downtown... it's typical for a fd to go in and inspect buildings after a warrant is served. the warrant puts the business out temporarily (few hours, couple days) but the building violations close these placed down for much longer. this also forces the owner to put $$ into a building, which he may not have.
Jimmy McNulty
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
@ JGS, thanks!
angela
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.
This place is downtown and in an area where 40 people fights and strollers with beer and weapons in them are found. If ypsi is to rebuild we must pay more attention to the people causing the problems. Lets try getting the people in these areas a job, so they dont use bridge cards. And maybe with a little self respect they wont accept a place that looks or operates like this. As it is the community in this area would rather fight and cause probs for the cops than clean up. I know not everyone likes the area but its clear that not enough people see a problem
jns131
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.
There are a lot of little stores in Ypsilanti I wouldn't go near if you paid me to. A lot of these are stores that do business do have a shady rep. This does not surprise me in the least. As for bridge card? You can use it at the border as well. It is used by a lot of stores in this area. Might want to check it out.
pseudo
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:31 a.m.
@Ronald: this store has been a problem for years. Violent crimes, fights, drug dealing...its a nasty place that the neighborhood has been asking for help with for a long time. So if the police are investigating how to bust 'em for tobacco or tax evasion, or whatever - something that will close the location down, I'm all for it.
that's a tuffy
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:20 a.m.
Many of these little stores have no regard for the law. I once observed a carton of cigs purchased with a bridge card. I questioned the guy in the parking lot and he said there were many places he could do the same thing.
JGS
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 6:52 a.m.
@Jim M - Let me Google that for you. 902 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=902+W.+Michigan+Avenue,+Ypsilanti,+MI&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=38.826758,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=902+W+Michigan+Ave,+Ypsilanti,+Washtenaw,+Michigan+48197&ll=42.237927,-83.624732&spn=0.00222,0.005681&t=h&z=18
Jimmy McNulty
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 6:40 a.m.
Yes, a street address would be helpful. However, AA.com staff is too busy policing the message boards.
pseudo
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 5:54 a.m.
This place is a pit and the drug dealing (open drug dealing) in the parking lot makes it dangerous to be around it. If there is anything that can be done to close it down forever, I would be in favor of it. Nasty nasty nasty people hanging out there. Cops drive by and they run INTO the store...thats telling.
ronaldduck
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 7:57 p.m.
They spent a MONTH investigating? Oh I forgot they were investigating illegal sales where the store didn't pay taxes!
clara
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 4:14 p.m.
NW corner of W. Michigan and S. Summit
tdw
Thu, Sep 2, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.
Any idea about it's approx location?