Three Wareham Liquor Stores Caught Selling Booze to Minor

WAREHAM — Wareham Police are seeking criminal complaints for three people after detectives say they sold alcohol to a minor.

Wareham Police detectives conducted compliance checks of liquor stores in the town on Thursday. Three stores failed the check and sold alcohol to an undercover operative who was accompanied by members of the detective division.

Acting Police Chief John Walcek says not only are the liquor stores going to be dealt with administratively, but the clerks who sold the liquor will face a criminal charge and have to appear in court.

“Our department made it clear that there would (be) zero tolerance for violations of law with regard to the sale of liquor to minors,” said Walcek in a statement. “We are going to step up our compliance checks with these businesses’ ensuring strict adherence to the law. Our officers are far too familiar with the problems associated with young people and liquor. If you are a minor and think you can buy alcohol in Wareham, those days are over. If you provide alcohol to a minor, plan on going to court to answer to criminal charges.”

Wareham Police are seeking criminal complaints for the following three individuals who they say sold liquor to a person under 21 years old:

• Rakesh Patel, 55, of Kingston — Anchor Liquors, 2369 Cranberry Highway
• Adelaide DePonte, 68, of Mansfield — Jug Shop, 221 Main Street
• Michael Domingos, 58, of Wareham — Sullivan's Wine and Spirit, 260 Marion Road

Police say the information collected during the failed compliance checks will be sent to the Town for possible administrative sanctions.