A sheriff’s sting operation conducted Monday evening found only a single retailer – one out of 11 stores approached by an under-age decoy – willing to sell alcohol and tobacco to a minor.
The clerk at that store – Aptos Village Liquor – was cited for the misdemeanor violation and the store could face administrative penalties as well.
Deputies point out their underage decoy wasn’t even sneaky, responding truthfully to questions and providing their actual ID as proof of being under 21 years-of-age.
Sheriff’s officials say the goal of the program is to reduce minors’ access to alcohol and tobacco and to maintain vigilance by retailers.
Cashiers at the following businesses turned the minor decoy away without selling any products:
- Aptos Natural Foods (Off Sale)– No Sale
- Deluxe Foods Aptos (Off Sale) – No Sale
- Rite -Aid Aptos (Off Sale) – No Sale
- Rio Liquors & Market Aptos (Off Sale) – No Sale
- Safeway Aptos (Off Sale) – No Sale
- Safeway Fuel Store Aptos (Off Sale) – No Sale
- Seascape Foods Aptos (Off Sale) – No Sale
- Deer Park Wine & Spirits Aptos (Off Sale) – No Sale
- Pajaro Valley Chevron Inc. Watsonville (Off Sale) – No Sale
- El Patio Grocery Aptos (Off Sale) – No Sale
