5 cited in Merced alcohol sting

Five people were cited last week for purchasing alcohol for minors during an undercover sting operation conducted by the Merced Police Department.

All five were cited Friday during the so-called “shoulder-tap” sting, police said Monday in a news release.

“Under the direct supervision of the officers, minor decoys stood outside four local businesses that are licensed to sell alcohol and asked adults entering the stores to purchase alcohol for them,” police said in the statement.

A total of 16 adults were approached by the minor decoys and five agreed to purchase alcohol for the minors. They were cited by police, authorities said.

Those cited were: Ismael Burciaga, 58; Kevin Fenske, 52; Demetrio Rios, 45; Thomas Housley, 63; and John Traynor, 47.

Traynor received an additional citation for possession of methamphetamine, police said.

Funding for this program was provided by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 12:41 PM with the headline "5 cited in Merced alcohol sting."