Alleged Underage Alcohol Sales Could Sting Eight Businesses for $500 Each

The West Des Moines Police Department did spot checks at 61 businesses this week that hold a liquor license to see if employees followed state laws on alcohol sales.

According to a news release from the police department, eight businesses broke the law during a check on March 8.

Establishments in violation were:

• Carlos O’Kelly’s, 4055 Westown Pkwy.                                 
• Flemings Prime Steakhouse, 150 S. Jordan Creek Pkwy.               
• Ingersoll Wine Merchants, 1300 50th St.                                            
• Lone Star Steakhouse, 1801 22nd St.                                                 
• Olive Garden, 3600 Westown Pkwy.                                
• Val Lanes, 100 Ashworth Road                                          
• Walgreens, 1999 Grand Ave.                              
• Wok in Motion, 5515 Mills Civic Pkwy.

Penalties for selling alcohol to an underage buyer include a $735 fine for the employee who made the sale, the release said.

The business faces a 14-day suspension of its liquor license or a $500 fine for the first violation; a second offense carries a 30-day suspension and a $1,500 penalty; a third offense is punished with a 60-day suspension and a $1,500 fine; and a fourth violation within three years means the liquor license can be revoked, the department said.

The compliance checks are done on a quarterly basis in an attempt to have a check on all liquor license holders (about 160) at least once during the year with re-checks of the establishments that violate the law, the release said.