BREA : 5 Charged With Sale of Alcohol to Minors

Undercover police have arrested five people since starting surveillance of Brea and Yorba Linda liquor stores two weeks ago to catch minors buying alcohol and people selling it to them.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested on charges of possession of alcohol at the Brea Jr. Liquor and Market, while two 20-year-old men were arrested on the same charges at Kap N Keg Liquor in Brea, Detective Randy Smeal said. When police arrested the 20-year-old men, he said, they also arrested the clerk on charges of selling alcohol to minors.

In addition, a 17-year-old boy was arrested at M & T Liquor in Yorba Linda on suspicion of attempting to purchase alcohol, Smeal said. All those arrested were cited and released, he said.

The operation began after residents complained about the sale of alcohol to minors at some of the 27 liquor stores in the two cities.

A four-officer unit will continue to make random checks of the stores throughout the holiday season.

“We like to do this this time of year because of the parties,” Smeal said. “Word gets out that Brea cops are out and sitting in parking lots writing tickets, and that deters juveniles from buying the alcohol.”

The stores that are cited are reported to the Alcohol Beverage Control Bureau in Santa Ana and face fines of up to $1,500 and possible suspension of business licenses, Smeal said.