Police: Sting operation in Riverhead nets two for underage sales
Two Riverhead store clerks were busted for selling alcohol to a minor in two separate incidents during a state police sting operation Wednesday, April 25, authorities said.
In the first case, troopers from the State Police Barracks in Riverside sent an “underage subject” into the USA Gas Food Mart at 415 East Main Street about 7:30 p.m. to purchase alcohol, police said.
Troopers then arrested Ravinder Parkash, 58, of Riverhead, who was working as a cashier at the time, after he allegedly sold the minor an unspecified type and amount of alcohol, officials said.
Mr. Parkash was charged with unlawfully dealing with a child, and alcoholic beverage control law prohibited sale of alcohol to a minor, both misdemeanors.
He is due in Riverhead Town Justice Court on May 14 to answer to the charges.
About a half hour later, troopers sent a minor into MG Deli at 999 East Main Street in Riverhead to buy alcohol. There, the subject was able to buy beer from cashier Heriberto Jerez-Gutierrez, 36, of Coram, police said. Mr. Jerez-Gutierrez was then arrested on charges for unlawfully dealing with a child, and alcoholic beverage control law prohibited sale of alcohol to a minor, both misdemeanors.
He’s due in town court June 14.
It was not made known if the sting operation targeted other area stores.
