Published: November 02, 2009 10:12 pm         

Several arrested on Halloween during beer busts

Members of the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office arrested several people, mostly minors, on Hallo-ween night for violating state alcohol laws.

Undersheriff Jerry Niles said deputies broke up a party about 11:55 p.m. Saturday in the 9200 block of West Southgate where alcohol was present, as were partygoers under 21.

Deputies also initiated a traffic stop in the 5300 block of Deerfield, which led to the arrest of three 15-year-olds.

Niles said the driver was arrested on complaints of driving under the influence and driving without a license, as well as other charges. The two passengers were arrested on complaints of public intoxication.

Because of their age, Niles said he could not release the names of the three arrested.

Following an undercover beer buy at Grand Cent-ral Station, 2305 N. Grand, police arr-ested Fawzi Subhi Mahmud on complaints of selling beer to two 19-year-olds Hallo-ween night.

Mahmud, 63, was arrested on two complaints of selling low-point beer to a person under the age of 21.

Deputies sent two volunteers with marked $20 bills into the convenience store, with each purchasing a 12-pack of beer.

During both sales, Mahmud failed to ask either for identification, Niles said.

Online court records show Mahmud pleaded no contest June 15 to two counts of sale of 3.2 beer to a minor and received a six-month suspended sentence.

“The sheriff’s office has always been proactive in our attempts to stop underage drinking,” Niles said. “While we know it is a large problem, we’re continually taking steps to address the issue and educate the public along with looking for offenders.”