3 Arrested During Minor Decoy Operations In Santee

SANTEE, CA — Three people were arrested on suspicion of furnishing alcohol to a minor during decoy operations over the weekend in Santee.

On Saturday, deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, agents with the state Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and three minor decoys conducted minor decoy and shoulder tap operations at various locations in the city.

The minor decoys tested retailers at six locations and tried to buy alcoholic beverages inside the stores. A clerk at one of the stores sold alcohol to a teen and was arrested on a misdemeanor charge, sheriff's officials said.

A shoulder tap operation was conducted in front of four retail liquor stores where a teen asked adults to buy alcohol for them. Eleven adults were contacted, and two bought alcohol for the minor and were arrested, officials said.

The minor decoy and shoulder tap operations were conducted in an effort to "help reduce alcohol abuse and youth access to alcohol," officials said. The ABC-related operations were funded by a countywide grant and are slated to continue through June 2021.

Anyone with information on licensed liquor establishments providing alcohol to minors are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477 or the sheriff's department's non-emergency line at 858-565-5200. Tips can remain anonymous.