Police investigating complaints about criminal activity at Zona’s Tamales, one of the oldest businesses in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, arrested the 84-year-old owner, her son and an employee, charging them with theft by receiving.
Zona Moore, her son Saalim Muhammed, 68, also known as Charles “Buck” Fields, and Renee McKinnon, 49, were arrested July 22 on accusations they bought and sold stolen cigarettes and bought stolen televisions from an undercover officer.
Zona’s Tamales has operated at 713 E. 26th Ave. for about 40 years, with many of Moore’s 14 children and 60 grandchildren occasionally working there.
Longtime residents of Five Points refer to Moore as “Momma,” and she said she embraces the diverse clientele that redevelopment of the neighborhood has brought.
“I want to stay down here with them because I like people,” she said. “I help all of ’em — I don’t care what color.”
Moore, McKinnon and Muhammed said they did not know the cigarettes or televisions were stolen.
The undercover officer, who went by “Hector,” sold Muhammed cartons of cigarettes for $10 a few times over several weeks. Muhammed said he was under the impression that “Hector” worked at a warehouse, enabling him to get a less-expensive price for the cigarettes.
“Hector” returned to Zona’s on July 22, offering to sell two 37-inch televisions he said were worth $600. The undercover officer said he told Muhammed that he had planned to sell the TVs for $200 each but was offering them for $150 each that day, according to the arrest affidavit.
Muhammed paid $300 for the televisions. McKinnon loaded them into her car and Moore helped to make proper change for the cash purchase, they said during an interview Wednesday afternoon.
The arrest affidavit said all three knew the televisions were stolen.
Muhammed said he believed “Hector” owned the televisions and was selling them so cheaply because he needed money that day.
That same day, Ernest Allen McKinney, 57, and Gill “Toni” Lee, 50, were arrested for investigation of distribution of cocaine. McKinney, an occasional employee of Zona’s, was arrested near the tamale stand after he is alleged to have sold less than a gram of crack cocaine to a confidential informant. He has been in jail since.
Moore’s daughter Sharon Moore said McKinney is a neighborhood peddler who “Dumpster dives” and tries to sell things in the neighborhood. He sometimes runs errands for Moore in exchange for food or money, she said.
Lee was arrested after she is alleged to have helped a confidential informant find crack cocaine to purchase while she was working at the tamale stand. She posted a $10,000 bond and will be formally charged Aug. 9.
Immediately following the purchase of the televisions, about six police officers entered Zona’s, arresting Moore, McKinnon and Muhammed. They searched for drugs but found none, McKinnon said.
After Moore, McKinnon and Muhammed spent the night in jail, Moore returned to work at 6 a.m., preparing grits for the morning crowd.
A rally and fundraiser will be held at Zona’s tonight at 6. Moore said she wants to clear her and her family’s names and to know the community is standing behind her.
Sarah Horn: 303-954-1638 or shorn@denverpost.com
