Illegal after prom party shut down at Rock Hill skating rink

An after prom party at Kate’s Skating Rink was shut down late Saturday night after Rock Hill Police discovered hundreds of teens gathered there to dance.

At about midnight, police were notified of a large group of people lined up in front of the skating center on Celanese Road. They arrived to find 200 teens aged 14-18 waiting in line at the entrance, according to a Rock Hill Police report.

Inside, police noticed no one was skating and all of the skates were locked up. About 100 teens were dancing on the skating rink floor instead.

More, a private security company was on hand charging $20 per person for general admission at the main entrance or $50 for a VIP side entrance.

Officials say the business was operating more as a dance hall or social club, which is a violation of a zoning law.

The manager was cited and the event was canceled.

Later, police discovered the security company was only searching the main entrance and allowing those who entered the VIP entrance to pass without being searched for weapons and drugs.

Police set up several traffic stops along Celanese Road, where they found 68 grams in marijuana and a stolen 9 mm handgun loaded with ammunition.

Marquise Phillips and Antonio Barber, both 19, were charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Phillips was also charged with possession of a stolen pistol, police say.

Both men said they were on their way to Kate’s for the party. They planned to use the VIP entrance so they could avoid being searched, reports state.

This story was originally published April 27, 2015 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Illegal after prom party shut down at Rock Hill skating rink."