-More Than 200 Arrests Thus Far in Shore Towns-
TRENTON – With just two weekends left in the unofficial summer season, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is warning underage drinkers and those who would help them get alcohol to think twice before they try to buy liquor.
That’s because both local law enforcement and ABC investigators have made more than 200 arrests at the Shore this summer.
“We are going to be relentless in our efforts to combat underage drinking,” said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre. “We are placing a spotlight on everyone involved in this: from the underage person who tries to buy, to the adult who agrees to help them buy, to the bartender who serves them.
The ABC’s enforcement efforts are spearheaded by its Investigations Bureau. Since May, investigators have visited 130 licensed establishments in New Jersey and have carded 1,091 patrons, resulting in 81 arrests relating to the sale, service, or consumption of alcoholic beverages by person underage persons. Investigators are working closely with the State Police and county prosecutor’s offices in many of these details.
Recently, four people, including a bartender, were arrested and charged for underage-related violations at the Sand Bar Restaurant in Brielle. That bartender, Jessica Zeffiro, 28, of Ocean, was alleged to have sold alcohol on August 4 to 31-year-old Valerie Gialanella, of Barnegat, who then passed those drinks to Carly Unger, 19, and Alexa Rickert, 20, of Cedar Grove. Gialenella was charged with providing alcohol to persons under the legal age and Rickert and Unger were charged with consumption of alcohol underage.
That same day, ABC investigators observed Jeffrey M. Santiago, 21, purchase alcohol for Michael Malley, 18, at Corner Liquor Store in Union Beach. The investigators, who were serveiling the store from an adjacent parking lot, arrested Santiago and Malley after the former handed off the alcohol. Both men were Union Beach residents.
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Posted: August 21st, 2012 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Division of Alcoholic Beverage Contril | Tags: Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Michael Halfacre, Underage Drinking | 3 Comments »
TRENTON– The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) partnered in a multi-agency crackdown on underage drinkers in Cape May County during the Memorial Day Weekend that resulted in 11 arrests, including two for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
On May 25, ABC and State Police detectives conducted an underage drinking enforcement detail at Gleeson’s Liquors in Dennis Township. The two agencies monitored the liquor store from the parking lot and watched as six individuals between the ages of 18-20 walked into Gleeson’s and purchased or stole alcohol. The detectives arrested and charged Matthew Napoli, 19, of Voorhees; Ryan Arthur, 18, ofMedford; Joseph Barton, 19, of Drexel Hill,Pa.; Robert Ertel, of Drexel Hill,Pa.; Liam Parker-Correia, of Malvern,Pa.for purchasing alcohol underage. They also arrested and charged Robert Goggin, 20, of Newton Square,Pa.for shoplifting $102 of alcoholic beverages.
During this detail, the State Police arrested Edward Przybyszewski, 23, for DWI after the Williamstown man drove erratically into Gleeson’s parking lot and parked his vehicle in a handicapped spot. Andrew Bertman, 18, of Mt.Holly, was arrested and charged for the same offense.
The following day, the ABC teamed up with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office to work undercover at various establishments in North Wildwood that netted three arrests for consuming alcohol underage. Stacy Pundock, 20, of Thorofare, was arrested at Flip Flopz and Jillian Furey, 20, of Oakford,Pa.and Lauren Haviland, 20, of Warminster,Pa.were both nabbed at Coconut Cove. Furey was also issued a summons for presenting a false identification.
“Working in conjunction with other agencies is ideal because they add local and institutional intelligence that go a long way towards effective enforcement,” said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre.
Underage drinking and purchasing alcohol underage are disorderly persons offenses, carrying potential fines of at least $500 and a six-month driver’s license suspension. The liquor licenses of establishments involved in last week’s enforcement efforts will be reviewed by ABC for possible administrative charges. Those charges could result in the suspension of the bar’s alcoholic beverage license.
“Cracking down on underage drinking is without a doubt one of our top priorities at the ABC,” said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre. “Our enforcement efforts in Cape May County on the busy Memorial Day Weekend period and our previous arrests in Atlantic and Bergen prove our focus on enforcement is there. We plan to make ourselves a visible presence on the shore this summer. ”
Posted: June 1st, 2012 | Author: admin | Filed under: Press Release | Tags: ABC, Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, DWI, Michael Halfacre, Underage Drinking | Comments Off on ABC Teams with State Police and Cape May Prosecutor to Nab Underage Drinkers and Drunk Drivers on Memorial Day Weekend
TRENTON – With just two weekends left in the unofficial summer season, the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control is warning underage drinkers and those who would help them get alcohol to think twice before they try to buy liquor.