Chickens, Cocaine, and Gunfire: Bizarre Basement Discovery Leads to Closure of Wisconsin Bar
When a Wisconsin bar’s basement chickens, cocaine stash, and gunshots catch police attention, it marks the end of an unexpected chapter. 🌐 #News #MilwaukeeWI #Wisconsin #Crime
MILWAUKEE, WI – The El Cielo bar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has officially closed its doors after nearly a decade of operation. The closure followed the permanent revocation of its tavern license after a series of troubling discoveries and an ongoing police investigation.
Owner Ruben Albanil Coyolt had run El Cielo at the corner of 12th Street and National Avenue for nine years. However, the events leading to the bar’s closure began with an October incident when police were called after shots were fired. Authorities later uncovered multiple items during their investigation that raised serious concerns about the bar’s activities.
Police Findings Raise Questions
On October 18, police discovered several troubling items inside the tavern. These included cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a suspected ledger related to drug sales. Additionally, officers found 9-millimeter cartridges, indicating the presence of firearms.
Perhaps most oddly, they also uncovered several chickens in the basement of the establishment. Although Milwaukee law permits residents to keep chickens with a special permit and in an outdoor coop, the bar’s basement clearly did not meet these requirements.
The Mystery of the Chickens
Coyolt explained the unusual discovery of chickens by admitting to keeping them in the basement of the bar. He stated that he planned to raise the chickens for food, offering an explanation for their presence.
When questioned by local officials, he confirmed that the chickens were kept in the basement for the purpose of eventually slaughtering and eating them. This statement raised further eyebrows, as it is uncommon for businesses like bars to house animals, especially in such a setting.
Allegations of Gun Violence
Alongside the discovery of drugs and the chickens, Coyolt faced allegations related to gun violence. He was accused of firing a weapon from a window of the bar, but Coyolt denied the charge, claiming that it was not him, but rather a person outside the bar who fired the shots.
Police also found a bowl of cocaine inside the tavern, though Coyolt rejected ownership of the drugs, stating they were not his.
Milwaukee Common Council’s Decision
At a meeting earlier this month, members of the Milwaukee Common Council expressed their concerns about the bar’s operations. Alderperson Jocasta Zamarripa was among those who questioned Coyolt about the chickens in the basement.
Council President Jose Perez also expressed disappointment, noting the bar’s troubled history in the area. Despite Coyolt’s defense and explanations, the Council voted to revoke his tavern license, concluding that the issues surrounding the bar were too severe to ignore.
Following the revocation of his tavern license, Coyolt’s attorney, Vince Bobot, discussed the possibility of appealing the decision in court. However, the decision was made not to pursue further legal action, bringing an end to the bar’s run in the community.
The Fate of the Chickens
As for the chickens, they were seized by Milwaukee police and taken to the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control. One of the chickens, in poor condition, was euthanized, while the other was returned to Coyolt.
With the closure of El Cielo, a unique chapter in Milwaukee’s tavern scene comes to a close, leaving behind a complex story of unusual discoveries and unanswered questions.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Wisconsin
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