3 Cited for Buying Alcohol for Minors During Novato Festival

Three people were issued citations over the weekend in Novato for buying alcohol for an underage decoy, part of 's efforts to reduce youth access to alcohol.

Sgt. Jennifer Welch said two Novato men and an a man from San Rafael were seen purchasing alcoholic beverages at downtown businesses during and after the , one of the largest-attended public events of the year in Novato. At least 60,000 people congregated on Grant Avenue during the all-day festival Saturday and Sunday.

Novato police conducted 28 "shoulder taps" in which an underage decoy asks people to go into an off-sale establishment and buy alcoholic beverages for them.

The three people detained and cited were Sergio Diaz, 36, of Novato; Zoltan Gallo, 58, of Novato and Stephen Dean, 56, of San Rafael. Welch said the cases would be forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney's office.

Police also sent in minor decoys to businesses to see if clerks would sell them alcoholic beverages. There were no violations at La Pinata, La Hacienda, El Palmar, Finnegan’s, Viking bar, DeBorba’s and Mike’s Liquor.

The enforcement operation was supported by the state department of Alcohol Beverage Control.