Alleged illegal bar near UMass campus

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Amherst Police say 14 UMass students were operating an illegal bar inside their Phillips Street home.

These students have not been arrested but Amherst Police told 22News they will soon be summoned to court, where they will face multiple charges.

The alleged illegal bar was found on Phillips Street, a known problem area for Amherst Police, just south of the UMass campus. It's a place where large parties are common and rowdy students have been arrested. 

“I mean it's a little surprising, it seems like that's kind of extreme to be going to be distributing alcohol. I can understand if it's a friend but this just seems like it's a little too organized,” said UMass sophomore, Kate Nadel.

Amherst Police say they received word the students were operating an illegal bar inside the home and served a search warrant last Tuesday. Once inside the home, police say they found kegs, cash and taps.

“I know that Phillips Street does have a bad reputation but it's not all of the people who live on it that are creating that,” said Matt Crosby on Phillips Street, Thursday.

Crosbylives next door to the 14 men and says the alleged incidents are out of character for the group.  “They are very under control; police are never really by their house. It was my understanding that it was a fire issue,” said Crosby of his neighbors. 

But for longtime residents like Bernarda Erwin, the incident brings up the issue of access to alcohol and education.

“They are mortgaging chances of wonderful careers by very silly behavior. And they know better that's what's so tragic,” said Erwin on North Pleasant Street, Thursday afternoon.   

Amherst Police Sgt. David Knightly says the findings came as a result of an ongoing investigation. The students could be summoned as soon as Friday.