Weapon seizures cast harsh light on Fort Myers nightclub

FORT MYERS, Fla. Four of the dozen illegal firearms the Fort Myers Police Department rounded up in a three-day span were confiscated at a single nightclub, police said.

It’s not the first time the Vegas Lounge on 2158 Colonial Blvd. has been the scene of law enforcement activity. In September 2016, two men were arrested after police found a loaded AK-47 and .38-caliber pistol in the Vegas Lounge parking lot. Two months later, five firearms and one assault weapon were seized following two police operations at the nightclub related to criminal investigations.

Police removed another six guns during an operation outside the nightclub earlier this year.

“There’s evidence that we have had several incidents with weapons involved directly related to that parking lot with patrons directly related to that establishment,” Fort Myers police Lt. Jay Rodriguez said.

Police have responded to the strip mall where the nightclub is located more than 700 times in the past five years for noise complaints, criminal mischief, drug sales, bar fights, underage drinking, assault and breach of peace.

The Vegas Lounge was also cited in July for fire code violations, according to the Fort Myers fire marshal.

“We want every business in Fort Myers to succeed,” Rodriguez said. “We want everyone to have a good time, but they have to be safe about it.”

The city’s Nuisance Abatement Board has the power to shut down the club, but it has yet to receive any formal complaints about it from the city attorney or the police department.
An attorney representing the Vegas Lounge released this statement:

There has been, and will continue to be, adequate security measures inside the establishment.