For Immediate Release

Monday, Nov. 23, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Bedford Police Conduct Alcohol Compliance Checks, Cite Five Employees for Violations

BEDFORD, N.H. — Chief John Bryfonski reports that the Bedford Police Department and the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s Division of Enforcement and Licensing, conducted alcohol compliance checks at 32 businesses and cited five employees for violations over the weekend.

On Nov. 20, in an effort to ensure establishments are complying with the laws surrounding the sale of alcoholic beverages, especially with the holidays approaching, Bedford Police, Liquor Enforcement Officers and underage buyers performed the checks at restaurants, bars and stores that sell alcohol.

As a result, five employees at various businesses were issued a summons for Prohibited Sales. They are scheduled to appear at the 9th Circuit Court-District Division-Merrimack on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

• New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet: Charlene Ouellette, 67 of Manchester
• Circle K convenience store: Jaiden-Rain Roberge, 21, of Goffstown
• Pizza Bella: Vasiliki Zgonis, 28, of Bedford
• Pizza Mia: Joseph Dickson, 23, of Goffstown
• Castro’s Backroom: Matthew Bozoian, 25, of Manchester
  

Additionally, each of the stores were cited administratively by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, Division of Enforcement for the violations.

“It’s unfortunate to see that employees of several businesses acted in direct violation of the law by serving or selling alcohol to a minor,” Chief Bryfonski said. “We remind all businesses to review the procedures of properly checking IDs with their staff to ensure buyers are at least 21 years old, as we will continue to strongly enforce these laws.”

To conduct this round of compliance checks, Bedford Police and Liquor Enforcement Officers worked with a 17-year-old woman and an 18-year-old woman, who acted as buyers. In each case, they used their own New Hampshire drivers licenses and were instructed to answer all questions truthfully.

The teenagers were escorted to the establishments by a Liquor Enforcement Officer and Bedford Police Officer. When in a restaurant or bar, the buyer attempted to order an alcoholic beverage. If the woman was served a drink and obtained possession of it, officers entered the establishment and handled the violation. At a store, the buyer selected a container of alcohol and officers stepped in if a transaction was completed at the register.

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