By Jane Prendergast
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati police early Sunday shut down an illegal Madisonville bar they'd been watching for months, arresting the owner and recovering drugs and five guns.

The bar, in a former banquet center on Madison Road, for months has prompted complaints about noise and drugs, said Sgt. Brian Ibold, supervisor of District 2's Violent Crime Squad.

Jerry Markley, civilian coordinator for Madisonville Citizens on Patrol, was encouraged by the arrests: "We've had a lot of suspicions but just nothing concrete until now."

Officers had trouble planning their bust, Sgt. Ibold said, because the club didn't operate on a set schedule so officers never knew when it would be open.

They noticed it open Saturday and sent in an officer in plain clothes, Richard Dues. He paid a $10 cover charge and bought a $9 drink, Sgt. Ibold said, confirming that the place was operating without a liquor license.

Because so many people, about 150, were inside, he called for help from uniform officers and from District 4's Violent Crime Squad.

They arrested the owner, Claude Graham, and bartender, Thomas McCrary, and one patron for carrying a concealed weapon. At least nine others have outstanding warrants.They also recovered crack, marijuana, a sword and a Taser.

E-mail jprendergast@enquirer.com