PRESS RELEASE
In the late evening hours of Wednesday, April 22 2020, the
Binghamton Police Patrol Division was investigating a suspicious person /
activity in the Water St area of downtown.
As part of this investigation, Officers were checking the area
businesses in an attempt to make sure the COVID-19 Curfew regulations were
being enforced and businesses were secured. Officers found the rear door of
Water Street Brewing Company unsecured.
Officers announced themselves several times with no response. Officers noticed interior lights on and loud
music playing, and so began to enter, finding several people at the bar
drinking alcoholic beverages in violation of Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders
and Mayor David’s local curfew orders relating to the COVID-19 epidemic. Officers were approached by a bar employee,
Nicholas Hall, who told officers to leave and interfered with their attempt to
enter the establishment.
Officers returned to Water Street Brewing Company with a
Supervisor a short time later to make sure the business was now closed and in
compliance with the COVID-19 Orders.
Officers found that loud music was still playing and several people
remained inside the bar drinking alcoholic beverages. Officers knocked on the door and made contact
with bar employee Nicholas Hall again, and Kristin Andrascik who identified
herself as the bar owner, but refused to provide identification to
officers. Andrascik stated that the
people inside are her employees, but prevented Officers from entering the
establishment to confirm. Andrascik and
Hall were advised of the COVID-19 orders and guidelines for businesses. Both
Andrascik and Hall stated they were aware of the guidelines and still refused
to close the business or allow officers inside.
Nicholas Hall and Kristin Andrascik were both later arrested
and issued Appearance Tickets returnable to Binghamton City Court at later
dates.
Kristin Andrascik, owner of Water Street Brewing, was
charged with one count each of Obstructing Governmental Administration under
New York State Penal Law and Having Committed a Violation of a Local State of
Emergency Declaration under New York State Executive Law, both misdemeanors.
Nicholas Hall was charged with one count of Obstructing
Governmental Administration under New York State Penal Law, a misdemeanor. Additional
charges are possible. The matter is also being referred to the New York State
Liquor Authority.
Chief Joseph T. Zikuski
Prepared by: Detective Lt. Robert Fimbres
