Greece, N.Y. (WHAM) — Three people have been charged after they dragged an unconscious bar customer, who later died, outside after he was served drinks past closing time and hit his head on a table, according to the Greece Police Department.
Police said John Acito, 68, was served alcohol until around 3 a.m. Dec. 17 at Dave’s Long Pond Pub, one hour past the time allowed in Monroe County. Police responded at 3:42 a.m. for a report of a man unconscious.
“The officers were told that the male was found in the parking lot, brought inside by bar staff and checked and then eventually 911 was called to seem to check him out,” Det. Sgt. Jeffrey Dill said. “Our investigation revealed that that story was not accurate.”
Dill said Acito had fallen and struck his head while getting up to leave. The suspects “concocted a story to protect the bar.”
“(The story was) they found him outside, to try to not have to admit that the bar was open until 3 a.m.,” Dill said. “Actions were taken by the defendants to make their story look believable. They placed the jacket on the victim, who was unconscious. They dragged the victim by the door to make it look like they brought him in from inside, and then they mopped up the drag marks from where they had dragged him from.”
Acito, who Dill said had recently lost his wife, suffered a “significant” head injury. He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he remained in a coma until he died Jan. 1.
The three suspects were charged with tampering with physical evidence.
- David Geer, 64, of Greenacres, Florida
- John Moore, 58, of Gates
- Crystal McWilliams, 42, of Rochester
Dill identified Geer as the bar’s owner, Moore as a cook and McWilliams as a bartender. All three are scheduled to appear in Greece Town Court at a later date.
“They had an opportunity to get him help immediately, and they didn’t take that action,” Dill said. “They were concerned with trying to protect the bar.”
The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Acito’s death “accidental due to complications of blunt force head injuries,” according to police, and “the delay in contacting police and medical personnel did not contribute to his death.”
Police continue to investigate. Dill said the New York State Liquor Authority is investigating the incident separately.
“We have seen tampering cases in the past, but I’ve never experienced this with a bar being open late,” Dill said. “This is a first for us.”