Suffolk News-Herald

Thanks to tips from neighbors, Suffolk authorities on Friday closed down an alleged nip joint operating in a shed on Clarys Drive.

Police were led to the property after neighbors complained of an odor coming from behind a house owned by Maryland Wilkins of 1008 Clarys Drive, said Lt. Steve Patterson.

&uot;We’d had several calls of complaints telling us that there was a problem with the smell of urine coming from the property,&uot; Patterson said. &uot;When we walked up to the property, the odor of urine was extremely strong. The weather is getting warm now and the heat… well, you know.&uot;

The odor was found to be coming from between two sheets of plywood fashioned into a makeshift bathroom stall behind the shed, Patterson said.

Inside the shed, Officer William A. Henley found the shed’s bar stocked with all kinds of alcohol, including beer, eggnog and liquors, and $14.10 in quarters and dimes. There was also a huge cooler that had been rigged up with a water hose attachment so melting ice could run off, Henley said.

The shed was even equipped with cable television and snacks, he added.

Wilkins, 60, was charged with one count of maintaining an alcohol nuisance, Henley said.

Police reported that Wilkins said he used the money to buy his monthly heart medication.

Henley said the Neighborhood Development Services department has been contacted. &uot;They will also be getting involved in this… making sure it is properly cleaned up back there,&uot; he said.

Once the evidence is catalogued, the alcohol will be disposed of, Patterson said.

It’s not likely Wilkins will have to spend any time in jail, he said.