14 UMass students arrested for illegal bar

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Fourteen UMass Amherst students were arrested this week for allegedly operating an illegal bar in an off-campus house they were renting.

Amherst Police Lt. Ronald Young told 22News that police obtained a search warrant for 11 Phillip Street, Tuesday morning. The house is located on a side street just behind the campus. It is also near several sorority and fraternity houses.

Police found, what appeared to be, an alleged bar setup in the home's basement--stocked with kegs of beer, dispensation equipment, taps, and cash.

The Phillip St. house has been under close surveillance for months now after police received complaints from nearby residents. They said there has been an increased amount of trash and vandalism in the neighborhood, as well as an increase in foot traffic in the early hours of the morning.

This has been a common theme in this college town. Police say off-campus parties are becoming more violent. The department hired an extra six officers in the beginning of the school year. They're conveniently on-hand to deal with any problems that should arise during the late night hours.

The 14 male students currently face charges of keeping a disorderly house, a nuisance house, and having unlicensed kegs.