Sting Operation In Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Nets 4 Busts

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Four people were cited during a law enforcement sting over the weekend in Lake Elsinore and Wildomar that targeted people who buy booze for minors.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control conducted the March 15 operation using "a decoy" who was under age 21. Standing outside of a liquor or convenience store, the decoy asked patrons to buy alcohol as undercover law enforcement watched.

The minor told the patrons they were underage and could not purchase the alcohol, the sheriff's department said.

Four people fell for the trap during the sting that law enforcement calls a "shoulder tap" operation. The effort was held statewide, according to the sheriff's department.

“Underage drinking harms our community. Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors will help to increase public safety and make our roads safer,” said sheriff's Capt. James Rayls.

If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for an underage person, they can be arrested and cited. The penalty is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

Saturday's operation was funded by ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.