TWO BUSINESSES CITED FOR ILLEGAL ALCOHOL SALES TO MINORS.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Deputies sent 18-year-old Explorers into 16 liquor stores, bars and restaurants in an undercover sting operation looking for businesses willing to sell alcohol to minors.

Only two of the 16 places sold alcohol to the teen-agers, who were followed into the businesses by an undercover deputy who watched them and the clerk.

Neighborhood Stop Market, 3160 W. Ave. L, and Sharky's Pool, 808 W. Ave. L, both sold alcohol to the minors, authorities said.

Deputies said the businesses that refused to sell to the teens should be commended.

The businesses that did not sell include On The Go Market, 856 E. Ave. K; Ray's Chevron, 101 E. Ave. J; Bootlegger 2, 111 E. Ave. K; J's Liquor, 120 W. Ave. J; Sierra Liquor, 42145 Sierra Highway; Superstore, 45549 Beech Ave.; Bob's Liquor, 44261 Sierra Highway; Challenger Liquor, 1004 E. Ave. K; Town Liquor, 606 E. Ave. K; Twopacks Liquor, 2802 E. Ave. I; Mike's Liquor, 42263 50th St. W.; The Britisher Bar, 849 W. Ave. I; The Tips'y Bull, 1009 W. Ave. I; and The Back Door, 1255 W. Ave. I.

The two businesses that sold alcohol to the minors were cited and could face losing their liquor license if they have any previous violations or receive any more.

Station officials said they will conduct similar stings in the future in a continuing effort to limit juveniles' access to alcohol.