IMPD arrests owners of ‘problem’ west side bar
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Police arrested the owners of El Chila Sports Bar on Monday, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said Tuesday.
Marvin and Gabby Betancourt are each facing six charges relating to their operation of the bar, including corrupt business influence and failure to remit food and beverage tax.
Court documents obtained by News 8 allege that the couple filed false sales tax returns and didn’t keep proper business records.
IMPD says there have been 29 formal incident reports taken at the bar, located in the 6300 block of West 34th Street near the intersection of West 34th Street and North High School Road, since December 2018. The reports included aggravated assaults, narcotics investigations and a police shooting.
The shooting happened in November 2020. Luis Suarez, the man shot by police, was charged with pointing a firearm, criminal recklessness and carrying a handgun without a license.
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Some neighbors said Tuesday the bar was just plain bad. Aaron Prowell said something always seemed to be going on there. “Something needed to be done. What was going on, I really don’t know, but I am glad it’s coming to an end because it makes our neighborhood a little bit more safe,” Prowell said.
Jen Hunsaker also lives nearby. Being a bartender herself, she saw situations happening at all hours. “You saw the police activity quite often, and I get off pretty late, so I’d see 3, 4 a.m. what’s going on, and there was always tons of people out there,” Hunsaker said.
The Betancourts are due in court Thursday for an initial hearing.
IMPD shared a video of happenings at the bar on YouTube, which labeled the video as age-restricted, meaning it can only be viewed through their platform. The video contains graphic violence and language.
