In a citywide raid conducted yesterday by Riverhead Police, retail employees were arrested at four locations in the City of Riverhead to verify compliance with state laws regarding the sale of alcoholic products.

Four people were charged with first-degree unauthorized access to a child, a Class A misdemeanor, police said:

• Liah Maria Martin, 26, Yaphank, employee at Sabor Deli Latino, 192 Old Country Road, Riverhead;
• Katerine Lizeth Vasquez Guardado, 23, of Riverhead, employee at Sound Avenue Liquors, 5085 Sound Avenue, Riverhead;
• Juan Jerez Gutierrez, 55, of Riverhead, employee at MG Deli of Riverhead, 999 East Main Street, Riverhead; and
• Cruz Pixtun Suret, 58, of Riverhead, employee of Pueblo Latino Deli, 719 East Main Street, Riverhead.

The investigation has begun and the perpetrators have been released with summonses and a court date in the future, police said.

The compliance check targeted the sale of alcoholic products to customers under 21 and was conducted by the police department’s Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) division in cooperation with the Riverhead Community Awareness Program (CAP), police said in a news release.

Eight dealers checked as part of the campaign were found to be complying with the regulations, police said:

1. The Thirsty Cellar, 6324 Rt. 25A, Wading River
2. Valero Gas, 5904 Rt. 25A, Wading River
3. Gulf Gas Station, 1879 Old Country Road, Riverhead
4. One Stop Smoke Shop, 1698 Old Country Road, Riverhead
5. JD Grocery and Deli, 873 Old Country Road, Riverhead
6. Gala Fresh, 795 Old Country Road, Riverhead
7. El Chapincito, 800 East Main Street, Riverhead
8. FA Grocery, 733 East Main Street, Riverhead

Riverhead police are asking anyone with information about suspicious or criminal activity to call the police Crime Hotline at 631-727-3333. All calls will be treated confidentially, police said.

Editor’s Note: A criminal complaint is an accusation. A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.