Friday nights in "Wide-Open Wheeling" were changed forever on December 10, 1971. Wheeling Police Chief Edward Weith led more than 25 officers and men on raids at downtown bars. The raids were all conducted simultaneously at 11 p.m. after days of preliminary undercover investigations with aid from two state agencies. The warrants were prepared secretly. Only Police Chief Edward Weith, Mayor James Haranzo, and Police Clerk Charles Timberlake (the typist), and state and federal agents knew about the warrants. Next, telephone calls were made at 9 p.m to the 25 men who took part in the raid. The participants were only told to report to the city building at 10 p.m. The News-Register published the names, home addresses, and at what location the arrests was made:

                               -George Lekanudous, 52, of 208 South Penn St., Menu Bar and Grill, 2601 Chapline St., possession of whiskey and possession of gambling equipment.

                        -Charles Jacovetty, 58, of 1617 Jacob St., J&C Bar, possession and sale of whiskey.

                        -Ruby Jean Murphy, 20, of 143 Fourteenth St., same bar, sale of whiskey.

                        -Ernie Sinkarow, Valley View, Ernie's Cafe, 1110 Sixteenth St., sale of whiskey.

                        -Joseph Woodrow Long, Box 109, Elm Grove, same bar, possession of whiskey.

                        -John Joseph Billota, 27, Menu Bar, possession of whiskey.

                        -Betty Elizabeth Lewis, 46, of 50 Thirteenth St., Sammy's Bar, 3529 Jacob St., possession of whiskey.

                        -June Irene Williams, 48, Martins Ferry, Club Della's, Short Market Street, sale of whiskey.

All those arrested had to post bond of $506 apiece. Their hearings were scheduled for later the next week in Wheeling Municipal Court.

            The raid at the Menu Bar was the most sensational. Chief Weith and his team of police officers approached the bar at 11:00 p.m. to begin their raid. Unfortunately, two of the Menu Bar's customers were exiting and caught site of police. They ran back inside to tip off the bar owner. Sure enough, when the police tried to open the door, it was locked. Undaunted, Chief Weith yelled out "Open the door, I am a police officer. I have a search and seizure warrant."  Weith could plainly see Menu Bar owner George Lekanudous through the frosted glass of the front door. Lekanudous made no attempt to open the door, so Weith repeated his statement two more times. When the door still was not opened, Weith kicked it in and continued with the raid. The raid at the Menu Bar turned up "a gambling device known as the "Clock," decks of playing cards, 18 tipboards and five punchboards. Weaponry taken as evidence included four pistols:  a Colt .38 special, a Smith and Wesson .38 special, a High Standard .22 Magnum Derrigner, and a .22 blank gun manufactured in Italy. Ammunition for the weapons was also confiscated, along with "a blackjack, a pair of brass knuckles and a package (of) M-80 firecrackers."  The Christmas spirit was alive at the Menu because one case of the confiscated liquor contained gift-wrapped half-gallon bottles with bright ribbons on top.

            Comments by officials concerning the raid showed agreement on the goal of curbing illegal activity downtown. Chief Weith told the News-Register:

This isn't stopping tonight. We're going to continue to stage raids and clamp down on all illegal activities. We're trying to protect the legitimate private club operators in our city who purchase the necessary licenses to sell whiskey. They pay a fee to sell whiskey and operate a private club and deserve to have their investment protected.

Mayor James Haranzo said that the raids were:

...closing the door on Wheeling as an open city...This should emphasize that the chief is taking over the law enforcement in the city with a free hand, with no interference from council...Wheeling no longer is going to have the reputation of being an open city.

            Mayor Haranzo didn't have to worry about Councilman William Muegge interfering with the raid. Muegge's comments showed support:

The so-called untouchables are no longer untouchable, as far as I'm concerned...The chief has the absolute support of council in his efforts to stop any illegal activity going on in the city.

On the night of November 13, 1956, raids were conducted at ten locations by twenty Wheeling Police officers led by Lt. Murphy. Some fourteen arrests resulted from charges ranging from "exhibition of gambling devices and possession and sale of liquor to unlicensed sale of beer."  A listing of the raided locations was printed in the News-Register the next day. They were:
 
    Eric's Steak House, 1429 Market St.--Eric Halverson, 33, proprietor, charged with sale of liquor in violation of the city beer ordinance. He posted bond of $106. Date of the alleged offense was Oct. 18.
    Goody-Goody Sandwich Shop, 1022 Market St.--Owner, Earl L. Corkran, Jr., 23, exhibiting gambling device. He gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher for a hearing Nov. 20.
    Covey's Grill, 1057 Market St.--Owner, Anthony J. Zambito, 38, possession of whiskey and exhibiting a gambling device. He gave bond of $106 on the city charge and $500 bond before Squire Fisher on the gambling count.
    Sip & Bite Cafe, 1033 Short Market St.--Proprietress, Irene Lirestes, 35, gave bond of $500 for a hearing Nov. 20 before Squire Fisher for allegedly exhibiting a gambling device.
    Jai Lai Club, 1407 Market St.--Owner, Myron W. Laney, 47, charged with exhibiting a gambling device, furnished bond of $500 before Squire Fisher.
    Ten Club, 1068 Market St., second floor--Owner, Michael E. Vasiliou, 30, charged with exhibiting a gambling device. He also posted bond of $500 before Squire Fisher.
    Jim's Bar, 1619 Market St.--Proprietor, Eugene Biagiolo, 34, charged with exhibiting a gambling device on Oct. 30, posted bond of $500 before Squire Fisher. Bernice Martin, 37, a waitress, was charged with sale of liquor on Oct. 30 in violation of the city's beer ordinance and posted bond of $106.
    Veterans of Second World War Club, 1411 Market St.--Proprietor, Michael Zavolta, 34, gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher on a charge of exhibiting a gambling device and posted bond of $106 on a city charge of unlicensed sale of beer. Jean Betz, 24, appeared voluntarily at police headquarters after hearing that a warrant had been issued charged her with exhibiting gambling devices.
    Hickory House, 1141 Main St.--Morris Rivlin, 50, gave bond of $500 before Squire Fisher on a charge of exhibiting a gambling device and Harry Rivlin, 65, posted bond of $106 for alleged selling liquor in violation of the city beer ordinance. Morris G. McKeever, 62, and Alice Lynn, 27, a waitress, also were arrested at the same time on city charges of unlicensed sale of beer and posted bonds of $106 each.
    Upstairs room also were raided at the same 1141 Main St. address. Arrested was Margaret Mason, 47, on two charges of operating a gambling house. Offenses were charged on Both Oct. 18 and Oct. 26. She posted bonds of $106 for appearance in city court.
 
    Two Wheeling Councilmen were upset that they weren't informed prior to the raids. They protested to City Manager Robert Plummer, who "somewhat sarcastically" replied, "It would be a fine thing to give out notice a week in advance."  While no official police comment was made, Chief William Thomas brought up the "general order" that was issued shortly after he was appointed as police chief. This general order commanded police officers "to make arrests when and wherever they observe[d] violations of the law."