Community
Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Minor Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation
| Nature of Incident: | Minor Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation | ||||
| Location: | Camarillo | ||||
| Date: | June 27, 2024 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Camarillo Community Resources Unit, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage and Control (ABC) |
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| Suspects: |
City of Residence |
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| Male Suspect (41 years old) Male Suspect (34 years old) Male Suspect (20 years old) Male Suspect (20 years old) Lantana Liquor |
Oxnard Oxnard Oxnard Oxnard Camarillo |
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| Narrative: | |||||
| Agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the Camarillo Police Department Community Resources Unit (CRU) issued multiple misdemeanor citations to adults, some who furnished alcohol to a minor on June 27, 2024. One of the adults was a clerk at Lantana Liquor who sold alcohol to one of the suspects (under 21 years old), who then furnished the alcohol to the minor decoy. An underage driver outside Lantana Liquor was also arrested for DUI by the California Highway Patrol. The actions were the result of a Minor Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation. In the operation a minor decoy, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, asked adults entering Camarillo businesses to purchase an alcoholic beverage for them since they were underage. During the operation, two male suspects purchased alcohol for the minor decoy and furnished it to the decoy outside the businesses. While at Lantana Liquor, two male suspects drove up to the business. The passenger of the vehicle purchased alcohol for the minor decoy. During the contact of the passenger suspect at the vehicle, it was discovered the two male suspects (both under 21) were driving around with open alcoholic containers inside the vehicle. The clerk at Lantana Liquor had sold alcohol to the suspect, who was under 21 years old, and that suspect furnished alcohol to the decoy minor. The clerk was cited as well. The driver of the suspect vehicle was also determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was over the legal limit. The driver (20 years old) was ultimately arrested for DUI by the California Highway Patrol. Suspects who violate California Business and Professions Code 25658(a) / Furnishing Alcoholic Beverage to a Minor, face a minimum fine of $250.00 and twenty-four to thirty-two hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC may take administrative action against the alcohol beverage license of the business where the alcohol was sold to someone under 21 years old. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of twenty-one have a much higher risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash than older drivers. About twenty-five percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ABC would like to remind the public, “We conduct these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “By preventing underage drinking we can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs.” The CRU will continue to work with ABC Agents and other entities to educate and enforce underage drinking laws. Also, local business establishments who sell alcohol to minors risk losing their alcohol sales license and face possible additional fines. Anyone who knows of adults furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors or establishments who sell alcohol to minors please call the Sheriff’s Office at (805) 654-9511 or email Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden with CRU ([email protected]). People who call can remain anonymous. |
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| Prepared by: | Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden | ||||
| News Release Date: | June 28, 2024 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy Ryan Shoden (805) 388-5131 |
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| Approved by: |
Captain Jason Hendren |
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Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
Address/Location
Ventura County Sheriff's Office
800 S Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93003
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-654-9511