Two Busted, Charged With Selling Alcohol to Minor

Employees at two East Main Street businesses were arrested last week for reportedly selling alcohol to a minor after New York State Police conducted a sting.

On Sunday, April 25, Riverhead resident Ravinder Parkash, 58, who was working as a cashier at the time, and Coram resident Heriberto Jerez-Gutierrez, 36, also on duty as a cashier, were both arrested on charges of unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree and prohibited sale of alcohol to a minor, both misdemeanors.

Police said Parkash is an employee at USA Gas Food Mart at 415 E. Main St. He was arrested at 7:30 p.m. and is due back in Riverhead Justice Court on May 15.

Jerez-Gutierrez was working at MG Deli, at 999 E. Main St. at the time of the arrest, police said. He was arrested at 8 p.m. and is due back in court on June 16.

The New York State Police Riverside Station conducted the underage drinking initiative, which targets store clerks that sell alcoholic beverages to minors.  Troopers utilize an underage subject to purchase the alcoholic beverages.