Department of Motor Vehicles

Contact:
Joe Morrissey    [email protected] 
Casey McNulty  [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, February 8, 2016    

NEW YORK STATE DMV UNDERAGE DRINKING ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS RESULT IN 25 ARRESTS IN ALBANY
Investigators Working with Albany Police Department Seize Fraudulent Documents at Popular City Bar, a Liquor Store, and Convenience Shops

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that underage drinking operations in the City of Albany netted more than two dozen arrests on Thursday night, February 4. DMV’s Division of Field Investigation (DFI) worked with the Albany Police Department to conduct Operation Prevent sweeps at Graney’s Stout, Sabatino’s Liquor Store, and local convenience stores.  This Operation Prevent sweep resulted in the arrest of 25 underage patrons throughout the night who were attempting to use fraudulent driver licenses to purchase alcohol or enter bars. 

“The businesses targeted by this Operation Prevent sweep were extremely cooperative, which shows our shared commitment to deterring underage drinking and keeping young adults out of dangerous situations,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “Our investigators work with law enforcement and business community partners year-round all across the state to prevent tragedies before they occur and keep underage adults from using fake IDs, which can have a lifetime of consequences. I thank everyone for helping us carry out this important mission.”

The Thursday night arrests occurred at four Albany businesses: Graney’s Stout on Broadway (ten arrests), Sabatino’s Liquor Store on Quail Street (12 arrests), the Exxon gas station and convenience store on Washington Avenue (two arrests), and Speedy Mart on Quail Street (one arrest). Investigations at Lionheart Pub and two convenience stores did not result in any arrests. One patron arrested at Stout, who was in possession of a fraudulent Rhode Island driver license, was uncooperative and aggressive with investigators and faces a charge of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. The arrest was processed in conjunction with Albany Police.

Investigators recovered 21 fraudulent driver licenses and four New York State driver licenses used by someone other than their rightful owner. Counterfeit out-of-state licenses were recovered from Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, and South Carolina.

DMV recently announced that a weekend fake ID sweep at five bars in two college towns netted nearly 50 underage drinking arrests. Operation Prevent sweeps in the City of Cortland, resulting in 28 arrests, and in the Village of Brockport, resulting in 20 arrests, were conducted with assistance from local law enforcement.

Operation Prevent investigations are funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) to deter underage drinking and keep New York’s roadways safe. The investigations are conducted all year long, not only at bars and drinking establishments, but also at concerts, events, or wherever underage patrons are likely to gather. DFI also conducts operations at the request of bar owners, law enforcement, and the State Liquor Authority in larger cities and college towns.

For more information on DMV, visit dmv.ny.gov.

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