A former New York police sergeant has hit the big time managing the King of Bachata, Romeo Santos.
Johnny Marines, who retired in 2009 after 16 years on the force, met Santos’ group Aventura following a 911 call to Heartland Brewery in Union Square in 2003.
“They caught an individual who stole a lady’s purse,” Marines tells us, explaining he and a manager of the brewery hit it off.
“We go to testify at the grand jury in criminal court downtown, and while we’re there . . . he told me about singing and wanted me to meet Romeo.”
Marines, who says his biggest cases were drug busts, began managing the group, helping them to negotiate a new contract, before steering Santos as a solo artist.
“None of us knew the difference between criminal attorneys and entertainment lawyers because none of us had that experience in the music industry,” he told us.
Despite his success, he keeps in touch with the NYPD.
“I will never forget them as those were some of the best years of my life and the best people to work with.”
Santos plays two shows at Yankee Stadium the weekend of July 11.