100 Bottles Of Upscale Liquor Seized At Liquor Store Accused Of Selling Stolen Booze

By Mae Rice in News on Mar 4, 2016 10:19PM

Items police found when they searched Buy-Low Liquors (photo via Chicago Police Department)

Updated 10/12/16: The charges have been dropped against Samuel, Matthew and Isho Youkhana.

Police caught Humboldt Park’s Buy-Low Liquor taking the adage “buy low, sell high” a smiiiidge too far. A recent multi-agency police investigation revealed that the store was fencing stolen booze, culminating on Tuesday in three arrests and seizure of more than $100,000 in cash.

Samuel, Matthew, and Isho Youkhana, all associated with the liquor store at 4301 W. North Ave., were all charged with theft, continuing criminal enterprise, and money laundering on Tuesday.

The arrests came after police obtained search warrants for thirteen locations relevant to the case, including the store and associated homes and banks. During the search, police seized the proceeds and assets of the business, $100,000 in cash, more than 100 bottles of high-end alcohol, and one illegally-possessed handgun.

The investigation started in January, when the New Lenox Police Department reached out to the Chicago Police Department’s Asset Forfeiture Unit with suspicions that the store was selling liquor stolen from suburban stores, including Mariano’s and Jewel.

The investigation was a true joint effort, police officials said. Spearheaded by the New Lenox Police department and the Chicago Police Department’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, the investigation got additional assistance from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Des Plaines and Northbrook Illinois Police Departments.

Because Buy-Low Liquors is just super illegal on every level, The Chicago Department of Buildings also inspected the store, which resulted in a Commissioner Closing for dangerous building code violations.