Drug Mart Clerk Cited In Underage Liquor Sales Sweep

Eight of 11 carry-out liquor establishments in Avon Lake earned a clean bill after the Avon Lake police department sent in an underage person to buy alcohol Oct. 5 in one of its periodic “compliance checks.”

A 21-year-old sales clerk at Discount Drug Mart on Walker Road was cited for selling beer to an underage person working with the police department.

Sgt. Vince Molnar said the city conducts periodic compliance checks, sending in an underage individuals to purchase liquor.

“There are 11 establishments in Avon Lake that have class ‘C’ liquor permits (for carry out),” Molnar said. “Eight were in compliance and did not sell beer and two were closed.”

Molnar said compliance check times vary, and Friday was selected in part due to Homecoming weekend in Avon Lake.

“We don’t want to be overly predictable, maybe Homecoming or prom or around those time frames,” Molnar said.

Elyria conducted a similar sting in September, resulting in six clerks being cited. The same week, 30 businesses in Lorain were involved in compliance checks with six clerks also being cited.

“We want to continue to ensure we are not having those types of problems in Avon Lake,” Molnar said. “If one place that has a reputation for serving to minors, we might conduct these checks more often and be a little more proactive.”

Molnar said compliance checks would be more frequent if there were people under the age of 21 willing to get involved. He noted his department has more connections now through the Community Police Academy.

An Avon Lake Municipal Court date of Oct. 9, 2012 was set for the 2l-year-old female clerk on the misdemeanor charge of Underage Sales of Alcohol.