1 Arrested, 6 Cited In Alcohol Decoy Operations

SAN RAFAEL, CA – Officers conducted minor decoy and shoulder tap operations Saturday in San Rafael that led to six citations and one arrest for an outstanding warrant, police said.

During the minor decoy operation, minors under the direct supervision of police attempted to purchase alcohol from 11 retailers. Two businesses, El Burrito Taqueria located at 927 Lincoln Ave. and Los Moles at 912 Lincoln Ave., sold alcohol to the decoy, police said.

Retailers selling alcohol to minors face a minimum fine of $250 or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. Businesses could also face fines, suspension or revocation of a liquor license, according to police.

Police also conducted a decoy shoulder tap operation, which targets adults who purchase alcohol for people under the age of 21.

During the operation, a minor stands outside a liquor or convenience store and asks patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates that he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If the adults agree to make the purchase, officers arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor.

Of the 19 adults the decoy asked to purchase alcohol, four agreed and they were cited, police said.

The four individuals cited in this operation were identified by police as David Anderson, 57, of San Rafael; Gonzalo Vicente Perucho, 55, of San Rafael, who police said also had an outstanding warrant and was booked
into Marin County Jail; Melquin Brayan Rodas-Mazariegos, 21, from San Rafael; and Farley Fleming, 56, of San Rafael.

The penalty for purchasing alcohol for a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock