Businesses and customers react, 6 liquor stores cited for selling to minors

Several Palm Springs businesses and store clerks are in hot water, accused of selling alcohol to minors.

They were busted in an undercover operation by the Palm Springs Police Department.

Of the 16 businesses targeted during the operation Tuesday, 10 passed the test. Over a third sold alcohol to minors and will now face consequences.

“The minors went into these locations and used their actual IDs, the ones that identify them as either a 17-year-old or a 19-year-old and attempted to purchase alcohol,” said Palm Springs police Lt. Mike Kovaleff.

If the teens succeeded, undercover officers stepped in.

“We do this to prevent businesses from selling alcohol to minors, to make sure they are following the rules and regulations,” said Kovaleff.

The businesses cited are Windy Cove Mart, Stater Bros on Vista Chino, 7-11 on Vista Chino, Locomotive Liquor, Palm Canyon Liquors and Palm Springs Liquor.

Two owners talked to us off-camera.

Palm Springs Liquor took responsibility for the sale, telling us it was a regrettable mistake and only the second one in the store’s 13-year history.

Palm Canyon Liquors also took responsibility, telling us the employee involved was very remorseful, but the law was still broken. It was the second violation for the store in 30 years.

Customers had mixed feels about the decoy operations.

“If they have something to hide, then it’s good that it’s brought to the surface and if they don’t, all is well. I think it’s good that they should do that,” said Tim Harmon.

“I can see where they are trying to stop underage drinking and all of that but at the same time it’s kind of deceiving,” said Israel Acosca.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control tells us those stores cited will have a hearing to determine what the penalty will be. For a first violation within three years it can be a 15-day suspension of the liquor license or a fine up to $3,000. If there are three violations within three years, the store can lose it license.

The cashiers who made the sale also face a misdemeanor charge.

“We will be visiting the bars. We will see if we can find adults and watch and see if they will purchase alcohol for the minors. We do these types of operations every year and we will continue to do so to prevent minors from obtaining alcohol,” said Kovaleff.