Hess Employee Caught Selling Alcohol to a Minor in Commack

A Commack business failed a state liquor authority check on Friday when an employee was caught selling alcohol to a minor, police said.

According to Suffolk County police, Robert Dispenza, 19, of St. James, an employee of Hess Express Mart at 5087 east Jericho Turnpike in Commack, was arrested and charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree for selling alcohol to an underage agent. The businesses will also be referred to the State Liquor Authority.

Jenny’s Deli and Grocery, 1044 New York Avenue in Huntington Station, also failed the state liquor authority check. Luis Lopez, 50, of Huntington Station was arrested on the same charge as Dispenza.

Police said that some of the businesses chosen were inspection were selected based on community complaints while others were selected at random.

The five businesses that refused the sale of alcohol to an underage customer were:

            US Petroleum, 6077 East Jericho Tpk., Commack

            Mishael’s Deli, 1454 New York Ave., Huntington Station

            Compruebe Deli, 1415 New York Ave., Huntington Station

            Chapi Deli, 139 West Hills Rd., Huntington Station

            Los Campos Deli, 161 Depot Rd., Huntington Station

Dispenza and Lopez were issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear at First District Court in Central Islip on April 2, 2013.