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21 Arrested in Stings: Booze Sales to Minors

Contra Costa sheriff's office conducted three decoy operations visiting 44 markets and liquor stores in February.

The sheriff's office made 21 arrests of adults in three February stings that visited 44 liquor stores or markets with minors attempting to buy alcohol.

Minors supervised by law enforcement tried to buy booze in the store or loitered outside a store and asked adults to buy them alcohol, according to a Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office press release from public information officer Jimmy Lee.

Seventeen adults were charged with selling alcohol to minors, and four were arrested for buying alcohol for minors, Lee said. The arrest of one adult resulted in a further felony charge of possession of methamphetamine, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of burglary tools, police said.

The sheriff's office conducted the decoy operations in conjunction with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. See the sheriff's office news release attached to this article.

Jose March 6, 2013 at 03:25 pm
It would be interesting to know how many businesses were cited. This sounds like money well-targeted and well-spent. No liquor sellor wants to lose their license.
Anne Mobley March 6, 2013 at 03:38 pm
Some of us would like to know who they were. Can anyone tell us?
Jose March 6, 2013 at 03:48 pm
As a side note, it would be nice if local police set up occasional, targeted crosswalk enforcement "stings" at some of the more dangerous locations and more dangerous crossing times in Lamorinda. Just taking 10 - 15 minutes out of some mindless commuter's morning rush-rush for a warning might get the point across. It is illegal to buzz pedestrians.
Chris F. March 6, 2013 at 03:51 pm
I wonder if there were any arrests in Lamorinda, Article doesn't say who or where and we know Contra Costa is a Large county
Chris J Kapsalis March 6, 2013 at 05:02 pm
I've been asked before to buy alcohol. I wonder if any were stings? Wrong is wrong, however, a poor person hurting for money would far more likely on average to take someone up on this for a couple bucks than someone who is rich? So it is not fair, and another example of class and income level greatly influencing who is arrested or breaks the law in the US. As I said wrong is wrong, but why on earth would someone who never hurts for money do this? When someone may who ran out of money and is hungry? It is entrapment pure and simple.
Chris J Kapsalis March 6, 2013 at 05:03 pm
But it is good we are seeing alcohol for what it is, as bad if not worse than any street drug. I just wish they would deal with it differently than putting a carrot in frount of a person that poor people will grab more often than rich people, if at all, would.
bryan March 6, 2013 at 08:39 pm
Looks like none of the stings were in Lamorinda according to News24/680. Some in unincorporated WC and El Sobrante.
http://www.news24-680.com/news/police-fire/county-sheriff-abc-target-adults-furnishing-alcohol-to-minors
MIKE ALFORD March 7, 2013 at 03:50 am
No Confermed Arrests In Lamorinda ! Thats Because LamorindaMan Was Working Undercover In Drag Cleverley disguised An Anxious Thirapest !
LamorindaMan March 7, 2013 at 04:16 am
You seem quite obsessed with me. I don't like dudes, but I'm flattered by your obvious affections for me. Don't be ashamed of your attractions but you might want to find another man to shower them on.
The Merry One March 7, 2013 at 10:08 pm
I wish the sting would have included a particular convenience store on Moraga Road in Moraga. We have frequented a neighboring business for years and have been approached by teenagers lingering in front of the store, asking us to purchase alcohol for them. Sadly, we've watched as adults have complied. My husband and I have intervened, asking the adult not to make the purchase and the responses have been astounding. When we tried contacting the MPD, they said they needed to catch the adult in the act of giving the alcohol to the minor. We've also tried convincing the teens that this wasn't a good idea to no avail.

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