No, really. It’s not a joke, it’s not “murdered out,” and it’s not a really 
Apparently, Travis Lloyd Kevie was hellbent on extending last call at the Valencia Club bar in Penryn.
Placer County sheriff’s deputies say the 29-year-old Newcastle man reopened the club after it went out of business and served alcohol to unsuspecting customers – about 30 of them a day – throughout the weekend.
As squatter cases go, “this is a first,” said Detective Jim Hudson, who found patrons gathered at the bar when he made an unannounced visit to the landmark tavern on Monday.
What’s more, Kevie had been featured as the watering hole’s proud new owner in an Auburn Journal article that same day, saying his takeover of the establishment was a “dream come true.”
From the article, Hudson had recognized Kevie as a transient whom deputies knew well. He subsequently was arrested on suspicion of burglary and selling alcohol without a license.
A large amount of alcohol and cash were confiscated from the Taylor Road bar, deputies said.
Kevie remained in custody Wednesday and, according to jail policy, would not be allowed to talk to visitors until later this week.
Deputies said Kevie admitted to breaking into the building Friday night and threw an “Open” sign in the window. Soon, he was pouring for thirsty customers, deputies said.
Hudson said the bar closed for financial reasons in June. Kevie was part of the crew hired to clean up the building following its closure.
On Friday, contractors had been doing some repairs and a property manager went to check on the building. Authorities said he found Kevie and two dogs on the property. Kevie said he was cleaning.
The property manager, assuming Kevie was still working for the other company and wanting to prevent vandalism, told Kevie he could stay on the property over the weekend, Hudson said. “He thought the invitation to stay meant he could open up the bar.”
Like savvy business owners, Kevie reinvested profits into the business: He started with a six-pack of beer purchased from a convenience store across the street and used the proceeds from customers to buy more alcohol, deputies said.
He kept the bar open through the weekend, serving about 30 customers a day.
“He built up to 10 to 12 bottles of hard liquor and a couple of cases of beer,” Hudson said.
In a brief telephone interview, a relative said Kevie, a state champion in bareback bronc riding in high school, was estranged from his family.
KCRA: Newspaper tips detective to bar scam
