Round Lake Park police arrest 27 at party
Round Lake Park police arrested 27 people early Saturday on charges ranging from underage drinking to contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko said the arrests stemmed from a complaint call at about 12:20 a.m. about cars parked on the street in front of a home at 303 Grandview Drive.
When officers arrived, they found about 30 to 40 vehicles parked on both sides of the street. One of the officers commented that once police arrived "it looked like the Boston Marathon" as people ran from the party, Filenko said. He estimated that about 100 people were at the party.
Police, with the help of several nearby departments, arrested 27 people ranging in age from 16 to 21 on a total of 56 charges, all misdemeanors. Twenty-four people were charged with underage drinking and one male also was charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly running from a police officer.
Those charged with underage drinking were taken to the police department, processed and released. Anyone who planned to drive home was checked to make sure they were sober before being allowed to get behind the wheel, Filenko said.
Amanda Fermo, 21, who lives at the home, was charged with 24 counts of delivery of alcohol to a minor, four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and one charge of keeping a disorderly house, according to the police department. Fermo was being held Saturday pending posting of bond, Filenko said.
Those charged with underage drinkers may face possible suspension of their driver's licenses under a new law effective in January, he said.
Meanwhile, police are trying to locate one or two additional people who were at the party, the police chief said.
The arrests come as the department participates in a countywide effort to crack down on underage drinking, Filenko said.
"We're zero tolerance," he said.
Officers from Round Lake, Round Lake Beach and Round Lake Heights helped the Round Lake Park force with the mass arrest, Filenko said.