Full Notification

On 4/15/2018, between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Novato police officers conducted a minor alcohol access prevention operation funded by Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).  An underage decoy(s) entered ABC licensed businesses and attempted to purchase alcohol.  Of the three ABC licensed establishments, two were successful in not furnishing alcohol to the minor decoy.  They were Rojas Market and Harvest Market.  One ABC licensed establishment, Miwok Shell Gas Station (located at 7473 Redwood Blvd), was unsuccessful when store clerk, 19 year old Novato resident Cyrus Cardinale, sold alcohol to the minor decoy.  Cardinale was issued a misdemeanor citation for the violation and will have to appear in court.  Also, the Shell Gas Station could face administrative actions from the Alcoholic Beverage Control for the violation, as this is the second time in four months they have sold alcohol to a minor decoy.
 
In addition to the attempting to purchase alcohol from ABC licensed establishments, the minor decoy asked 8 people to purchase alcohol.  Of these 8 people, none agreed to purchase alcohol for the minor decoys.

While this minor decoy operation was occurring, officers witnessed a drug transaction occur in the parking lot of 7-Eleven (located at 700 Redwood Blvd) where several pounds of marijuana were being transferred between vehicles.  31 year old San Rafael resident, Timothy Melchior and 33 year old Santa Rosa resident Jing Wu, were both cited for misdemeanor possession of Marijuana for sales and will have to appear in court. In addition, 24 year old Novato Resident Alexis Simon was cited for possession of concentrated cannabis while in a motor vehicle.
 
The Novato Police Department would like to thank the community, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control, for its continual support to prevent youth access to alcohol.
 
INVOLVED OFFICERS: Sergeant Andres, Officer Macias & Officer Jackson

RELEASED BY: Sergeant Andres DATE: 04/20/2018