Commission reviews incidents at Mojito's and Top Shelf bars involving Carlos Melendez

The Springfield License Commission convened on May 14, 2025, to address several incidents involving local establishments and discuss managerial discrepancies. The meeting began with a review of an incident at Mojito's Bar and Restaurant that occurred on April 17. Officer Anderson reported that the ShotSpotter system was activated due to two vehicles driving in the area, but there were no disturbances inside the bar. The manager confirmed that patrons were already leaving when officers arrived. Following this discussion, a motion was made to take no action regarding the incident, which was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

The next item on the agenda involved an incident at Top Shelf 2 on April 27. Officer Anderson noted that security was aware of the situation, and there were no calls for service related to the ShotSpotter activation. Officers found shell casings approximately 200 yards from the establishment. Again, a motion to take no action was made and passed without opposition.

As the meeting progressed, a new business item was introduced concerning the management of Mojito's and Top Shelf. It was revealed that Carlos Melendez was identified as the manager of record for both establishments, which raised questions about his dual roles. The commission discussed discrepancies in the records, noting that Melendez was listed as the manager for Mojito's but served as security for Top Shelf. Further investigation revealed that the official records indicated Milka Ramos as the manager for Top Shelf 2, leading to confusion regarding the management structure.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to clarify the managerial roles and ensure accurate records moving forward. The commission emphasized the importance of proper management oversight in maintaining safety and compliance within the establishments.