State police checked 14 stores during an underage drinking enforcement operation in eastern Putnam County and found three—all located in Brewster and Southeast—violated the law by selling alcohol to a teenager.
The detail took place Tuesday. It involved an 18-year-old volunteer purchasing beer or wine under the observation of a plainclothes investigator who was supported by uniformed troopers.
"Most of the stores were found to be in compliance with the state's Alcohol Beverage Control Law, which prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 years of age," authorities said in a statement.
In each case, police charged the person who made the sale with first-degree unlawfully dealing with a child and prohibited sale of alcohol, misdemeanors. They were released pending future court appearances.
Here are the details of the arrests:
- A 26-year-old clerk at Maximum Deli on Main Street in Brewster
- A 42-year-old clerk at the Valero Gas and Convenience Store on Route 22 in Southeast
- A 49-year-old clerk at North Main Street Deli on North Main Street in Brewster
"The New York State Police routinely conducts underage drinking enforcement operations throughout the state in an effort to curb alcohol abuse and DWI incidents among teenagers," troopers said in a statement.
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