44 Arrested, 24 Stores Cited for Alcohol Sales
Los Angeles police arrested 44 minors and cited 24 businesses in a crackdown on the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors, authorities said.
Capt. Valentino Paniccia said a task force of vice, patrol and reserve officers did spot checks at all 77 liquor sales stores in the Foothill area--from Sylmar to Tujunga--on Friday and Saturday nights.
Paniccia said that underage reserve officers were able to purchase alcoholic beverages in 24 of the locations and that the owners of the stores were cited. He said 44 youths ranging from age 17 to 20 were also arrested inside or near the stores on suspicion of possession or consumption of alcohol.
The youths were released to their parents. The store owners face possible fines and license suspension by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
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