LAPD Cracks Down on Stolen Liquor

Los Angeles police officers are trying to cap what they say could become a growing problem in the San Fernando Valley: liquor store clerks buying whiskey, vodka and tequila stolen from local supermarkets.

West Valley vice officers arrested two liquor store employees Wednesday after they allegedly bought premium booze for $5 a bottle from undercover officers posing as drug addicts.

One of the employees even gave the officer orders for particular kinds of liquor, said Sgt. Stephen Merrin, who oversees the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley vice officers.

The police investigation, which is ongoing, began after local supermarkets reported shoplifters were stealing dozens of bottles of booze every week. At a Vons market in Reseda, Merrin said, the manager reported losing more than 60 bottles of Jack Daniel’s bourbon and Jose Cuervo Gold tequila in less than a month.

“The supermarkets are getting killed,” Merrin said.

But Mousa Hanno, the manager of J & J Liquor in Tarzana, where an employee was arrested Wednesday, said the police officers tricked the clerk into buying the booze.

“It was a big game they played on us,” Hanno said. “They’re forcing the stores to buy it.”

Hanno said the undercover officer, who claimed she needed the cash for drugs, persuaded Antoun Adwani to buy the stolen alcohol after the clerk at first declined.

“He bought it for himself to help out the lady,” Hanno said.

Adwani, 28, posted $10,000 bail and was released Wednesday.

Police also arrested Haitham Mubarkh, a 26-year-old employee of Rocket Liquor in Canoga Park, for allegedly buying several bottles from the undercover agent Wednesday. He also posted bail and was released Wednesday.

Police said they will ask prosecutors to file felony charges against the men for receiving stolen property.

A Rocket Liquor clerk declined to discuss the case on Thursday.

Steve Hager, manager of the Vons market in Reseda, praised the police effort, saying the shoplifting problem is costly to the chain, as well as to other markets.

“We all have security systems, but it’s really hard to combat this,” Hager said. “It’s a problem that hits a lot of the markets all over the Valley.”

Police say the shoplifters know where they can get quick cash for the stolen liquor. The money typically is used to buy crack cocaine and heroin, Merrin said.

In addition, police said the problem could also affect public health.

“If you’ve got . . . a dope addict with these bottles, who knows what they’re putting in there?” Merrin said. “God knows what you’re buying from these liquor stores.”