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).
Camarillo Minor Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation
| Nature of Incident: | Minor Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation | ||||
| Location: | Camarillo | ||||
| Date: | October 25, 2025 | ||||
| Unit(s) Responsible: | Camarillo Community Resources Unit, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage and Control (ABC) |
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| Suspects: |
City of Residence |
Age | |||
| Joaquin Melendez Diaz | Camarillo |
39 | |||
| Narrative: | |||||
| Agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the Camarillo Police Department Community Resources Unit (CRU) once again worked together on a Shoulder Tap operation to see if any patrons entering local alcohol retail establishments would furnish alcohol to the minor decoys, who are under 21 years of age. In the operation, a minor decoy, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, approached patrons entering stores and asked them to purchase alcohol for them with money given to them by the decoys. The decoys also indicate they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. The decoy operation was conducted at four businesses in the city of Camarillo. One suspect agreed to furnish alcohol and was cited and released for violation of California Business and Professions Code 25658(a). 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. 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 and to protect the safety of our children,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “By preventing underage drinking we can increase the quality of life in our communities, curtail alcohol related crimes and reduce DUIs.” The CRU will continue to work with ABC and other entities to educate and enforce underage drinking laws. Our goal is to protect our youth from substances such as alcohol that can be harmful to their well-being. Anyone who knows of adults furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors, or establishments who sell alcohol to minors in the city of Camarillo, are encouraged to call or email Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig with CRU ([email protected]). People who call can remain anonymous. |
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| Prepared by: | Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig | ||||
| News Release Date: | November 6th, 2025 | ||||
| Media Follow-Up Contact: | Senior Deputy Matthew Koenig (805) 279-0490 |
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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