NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Friday, October 14, 2005

Seven Arrested during Hartford Police Investigation into illegal sales of alcohol to minors.

(Hartford) - On Thursday, October 13, 2005, during a citywide initiative targeting illegal sales of liquor to minors, the Hartford Police Vice Unit, assisted by the Narcotics and Gun Teams and the Northwest Conditions Unit, conducted liquor compliance inspections at nine city liquor sales outlets.  A twenty-year old HPD Police Cadet, acting in an undercover capacity, was able to purchase alcohol at six of the nine establishments under investigation.

Seven individuals were arrested and more than 300 bootleg CD's and 140 Bootleg DVD's were seized as a result of the investigation.  A Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun and assorted alcoholic beverages were also seized.  Three of the nine liquor outlets investigated refused to sell liquor without identification.  They are the Farmington Avenue Package Store, the El Cuque Market and the Brook Street Market.  Violations by the other six have been referred by Hartford Police to the State of Connecticut Liquor Control Commission for further investigation.

In commenting on the importance of the initiative, HPD Vice Sergeant James G. Buyak said "Any establishment involved in the illegal sale of alcoholic to minors should be on notice that the HPD is serious about enforcement and may very well be their customer."

The following seven individuals from six stores were arrested:

1. Adrian's Landing Package Store, 29 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford.  Arrested:  Richard Serrano of 20 Thompson Road, Manchester, CT., charged with sale of liquor to a minor.

2. Venessa Grocery Store, 161 South Whitney Street, Hartford.  Arrested:  Mirian Adames of 250 Main Street, Hartford, charged with sale of liquor to a minor and sale of bootleg DVD's & CD's.

3. Boriqua Market, 183 Lawrence Street, Hartford.  Arrested:  Joselin Castro of 171 Lawrence Street, Hartford, charged with sale of liquor to a minor.

4. Amigo Grocery, 527 Farmington Avenue, Hartford.  Arrested:  Edwin Chetaro of 85 Sumner Street and Francisco Morel of 22 Montrose Street, Hartford, charged with sale of liquor to a minor.

5. Lora's Grocery, 2 Baldwin Street, Hartford.  Arrested:  Ricardo Sanabia of 32 Winship Street, Hartford, charged with sale of liquor to a minor and sale of bootleg DVD's and CD's.

6. Christinaz Grocery, 227 Sisson Avenue, Hartford.  Arrested:  Cristobal Jiminian of 89 Flatbush Avenue, Hartford, charged with sale of liquor to a minor and sale of bootleg DVD's and CD's.

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
Visit www.hartford.gov for more Hartford Police News
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