Wareham Police Conduct Package Store Stings
WAREHAM — On Tuesday July, 31 starting at about 3:45 p.m. Wareham Police detectives began another compliance check of liquor stores in Wareham. This comes on the heels of a compliance check which was completed on Thursday, July 26. In that sting three stores failed the checks, including the Jug Shop, 219 Main Street.
Yet again this store failed on the Tuesday checks. The owner of the store, Adelaide Deponte, 68, of Mansfield, was the person who sold the alcohol to the minor on Tuesday, and is the same person who sold the alcohol illegally on Thursday as well. When approached by a detective about the sale, Ms. Deponte told him, “You guys are setting me up.”
In addition to the Jug Shop, Mayflower Liquors, 3150 Cranberry Highway, also failed on the compliance check. Aruna Johar, 65, of Plymouth, allowed the sale of the alcohol to a minor at that location. As is the policy of the Wareham Police Department, both of these individuals are going to be facing the criminal charge of, selling liquor to a person under 21.
Acting Wareham Police Chief John Walcek said, “This is a very serious issue which I consider a matter of public safety. I am disgusted that a store owner would accuse a detective of this department that we are trying to set their business up. Obviously, they did not get the message that we will have zero tolerance for this crime. It is very simple, obey the law and there won’t be any issues. I can assure you we are going to pursue this vigorously.”
The Wareham Police Department will be continuously following up on every business in town that has a liquor license, ensuring compliance with the law.
Wareham Police Department