20 Businesses Cited in Alcohol Sale Sting

Employees at 20 stores and restaurants in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake were cited during a police sting operation over the weekend for allegedly selling alcohol to minors, authorities said.

Sheriff’s deputies enlisted several 18- and 19-year-olds to attempt to purchase alcohol Friday and Saturday night in about 100 businesses. Employees who sold alcohol to a minor were cited and released at the scene.

The sting was scheduled to coincide with graduation and the beginning of summer break, authorities said.

In 1997, sheriff’s deputies conducted similar stings in June and July, citing a combined 15 businesses. Last year, deputies cited only seven businesses.

Officials from the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control had notified businesses that sell alcohol in the east county about the sting operation.