5 Store Clerks Sold Alcohol To Minors In Nassau: Police

Photo: (l-r) Bryan Heran, Hasmukhbhai Ramabhai Patel, Jesus Gomez, Tatia Whales and Young Ko

Five employees of Nassau County businesses were arrested for selling alcoholic beverages to minors during an enforcement initiative on Thursday, police say.

According to authorities, the following people sold alcohol to an underage agent during a "Project 21" initiative:

• Young Ko, 58, of Bayside, an employee at New Carle Place Farm, located at 514 Westbury Ave. in Carle Place.
• Bryan Heran, 23, of Freeport, an employee at Carle Place Drive Thru, located at 525 Westbury Ave. in Carle Place.
• Jesus Gomez, 64, of Westbury, an employee at Mercadito Mini Mart, located at 523 Union Ave. in Westbury.
• Tatia Whales, 51, of Uniondale, an employee at at His and Hers Lounge, located at 259 Post Ave. in Westbury.
• Hasmukhbhai Ramabhai Patel, 44, of Queens Village, an employee at Shop and Stop Convenience store, located at 1000 Jerusalem Ave. in North Merrick.

All five above people were charged with prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage and unlawful dealing with a child. Ko was additionally charged with improper posting of a license.

Additionally, Marvin Almendares-Turcios, 27, of Uniondale, an employee at The Nest Bar and Lounge, located at 382 East Meadow Ave. in East Meadow, failed to produce the proper license for a public assembly, police say.

They all were released on appearance tickets returnable to First District Court in Hempstead on Feb. 27. Almendares-Turcios' is due on Feb. 26.

The "Project 21" initiative looks to target the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to minors in Nassau County, police say.

Mugshots via Nassau Police