REDDING - On Friday, September 15, 2017, agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and officers with the Redding Police Department conducted a minor decoy and shoulder tap operation targeting underage drinking and encouraging the safe and appropriate sales of alcoholic beverages.

During the minor decoy portion of the operation, 11 businesses were contacted by a decoy under the age of 21 who attempted to buy to an alcoholic beverage.  Employees from two businesses sold or furnished beer to the decoy. Cited were:

• Selene Covarrubias, 44, of Redding, working at Los Lalos restaurant.
•  Michael Behnke, 29, of Redding, working at Fusion Lounge.

During the shoulder tap portion of the operation five citizens were contacted by the decoy, two of whom purchased alcoholic beverages for the decoy.  Cited were:

• Jayce Wells, 21, of Redding.
• Cody Morrow, 23, of Redding.

“These decoy operations are conducted on a regular basis in California and hopefully keep business owners, clerks and the public on their toes,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Businesses owners need to educate their clerks and stress the importance of checking ID and citizens need to just say no, when approached by young people asking if they’d buy some beer for them.  Together we can reduce under-age drinking and as a result see fewer crimes and accidents association with underage drinking.  We can all do our part.  My thanks to ABC agents and local law enforcement who never stop pursuing safety for our communities.”