"Operation Take-Out" Centers on Olyphant Restaurant
By: Eric Deabill
Updated: March 8, 2013
Olyphant, Lackawanna County - The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office says a Lackawanna County restaurant is taking take-out to the extreme.
Prosecutors say the Clocktower at LaRussa's restaurant, which was formerly known as LaRussa's Italian Cafe, is at the center of a cocaine distribution network.
The owner of the restaurant and four other people were arraigned on drug charges.
The restaurant remains open but the bust is being called "Operation Take-Out" because investigators say cocaine left the business in a pizza box with a pizza.
In all, roughly $700,000 worth of drugs were involved.
"It's unusual. It's unusual for a restaurant like this, situated in a public neighborhood in a town like Olyphant," Deputy Attorney General Tim Doherty said.
The owner of the restaurant, David Klem, remained silent as he was led into and out of his arraignment. His attorney declined to comment on the charges.
The investigation has spanned six years.
Some of the suspects denied doing anything wrong.
"I have a family and I was involved in stuff -- what they're allegeding me on -- I have no comment. I have no idea," suspect Eric Gruzesky said.
News of the bust spread quickly.
"Everybody has a gimmick and cocaine is a business, no matter how bad, it's wrong but still it's a money making business," Thomas Stombaugh of Dickson City said.
"That shocks me because they have good food and they were nice people," James Lavelle of Olyphant said.
