Businesses Caught Selling Beer To Underage Mystery Shoppers: Police

Two Oak Lawn liquor establishments were caught selling alcohol to minors during an underage “mystery shopper” sting conducted by Oak Lawn Police, reports said.

The alleged violations occurred after a letter was sent to village liquor license holders, stating that police would be sending underage mystery shoppers to ensure that businesses weren’t selling alcohol to persons under 21.

At 5:16 p.m. Dec. 26, two mystery shoppers, ages 19 and 18, attempted to purchase a case of Miller Lite beer at Cardinal Liquors, 9630 Southwest Highway.

Police said that the 74-year-old cashier did not ask for minors’ IDs and sold them the case of beer.

Both mystery shoppers left the store with the Miller Lite, which was immediately destroyed, reports said.

The cashier was issued a village ordinance violation for sale of alcohol to underage persons.

Moments later, underage mystery shoppers entered PJ’s Pourhouse at 5635 W. 87th St. at 5:52 p.m. Both minors ordered bottles of Miller Lite, police said.

The 58-year-old bartender checked the minors’ IDs stating they were 18 and 19, but served them beer anyway, according to the report.

Police said the bartender rang up the sale on the register, as officers observed from inside the bar.

The bartender was also cited for violating an ordinance prohibiting the sale of alcohol to a minor.

The accused sellers face fines ranging from $500 to $1,000. Both are scheduled for hearings at Oak Lawn Village Hall on Jan. 21.