Suspension of Liquor License ( Richards)November 11,1981
cc: OLL
Richard's Liquor License File
CITY OF HoPKNs
1010 FIRST STREET SOUTH HOPKINS, MINNESOTA 55343 612/935-8474
TO: 0. L. LaBerge, Superintendent of Police
FROM: J. C. Pratt, Commander
SUBJECT: Liquor Violation Occurring 11 -6 -81, Richard's Liquor Store,
22 10th Avenue North, Hopkins
Police Case #81010752
On November 6, 1981, at approximately 9:35 p.m., Reserve Police Officer Gary A. Rice
was in the Tait's Super Valu parking lot when he observed a young man leave Richard's
Liquor Store carrying a bottle shaped paper bag. Reserve Officer Rice felt that this
man appeared to be much to young to purchase alcoholic beverages and asked him for
identification to verify his age. It was established that he was eighteen (18) years
of age and Officer Rice seized the two unopened bottles of Bacardi Dark Rum.
The suspect is Phillip William Cronen, DOB 9 -7 -63, who resides at 2910 Fairchild Avenue,
Minnetonka, MN 55391.
Regular Officer Kevin Sorlie assisted Reserve Officer Rice in this case and took the
rum back into Richard's Liquor Store. A clerk directed him to a second clerk who had
been at the checkout register. Officer Sorlie established that this employee was
Brian Barlage, the assistant manager. Barlage informed Officer Sorlie that he had
sold the rum and he thought the guy looked old enough. Officer Sorlie warned Barlage
that he would have to check IDs more closely and Barlage agreed pointing out that they
use a bonus program at Richard's Liquor for employees to catch underage persons attempt-
ing to buy liquor.
On November 11, 1981, Detective Bruce Miller brought all reports in this case to the
Hopkins City Attorney's Office. Prosecutor K. Maxfield Otto reviewed the cases and
drew up a formal complaints against Phillip William Cronen for Purchasing Liquor as
a Minor and a second complaint against Brian Barlage for Illegal Sale of Intoxicating
Liquor to a Person Under the Age of 19. Both formal complaints will be signed by a
judge sometime during the week of November 16, 1981, thus clearing by arrest this case.
Reviewing Hopkins City Ordinance, Section 810, Intoxicating Liquors, Conditions of
License, 810:50, I recommend city council action for suspension of license at Richard's
Liquor under Section 810:70, Revocation.
r i E
H 1
1010 FIRST STREET SOUTH HOPKINS, MINNESOTA 55343 612/935-8474
DAZE: August 23, 1982
TO: 4/Cam ander Pratt
Detective Teclaw
Hopkins Police Department
FROM: Jerry Steiner
MEMORANDUM
RE: State vs. Brian Barlage
Charged with IT ,T EGAL SALE TO A MINOR
The above captioned matter was set for Jury Trial on August 23. At that
time, pursuant to a plea negotiation, Barlage entered a plea of Guilty to
the offense and was granted a stay of imposition of sentence, under
Minnesota Statutes Section 609.135, for six months on the condition that
he have no same or similar violations during that period of time. At the
end of the six months, provided there are no same or similar offenses, Mr.
Barlage will be discharged from sentencing.
At the. time Barlage entered the guilty plea, he made it clear on the record
beforourt that he had no specific recollection of the sale in question
but that he had no reason to contest the veracity of the police reports and
was entering his plea on that basis.
In light of the fact that Kevin Sorlie made it clear to me in no uncertain
terms he would not cooperate in giving testimony or making himself
available as a witness, and that Phillip itronen, the individual who
purchased the liquor, had indicated that he also intended not to cooperate
(see May 25, 1982 Inter office Merin of Dave Teclaw) I felt that the above
was an appropriate disposition of the charges against Barlage.
Please call if there are any questions.
JSS:dks
CITY OF HOPKINS
Yours very truly,
r
Jeremy S. Steiner
C oPY
1010 FIRST STREET SOUTH HOPKINS, MINNESOTA 55343 612/935-8474
JCP
M E M O R A N D U M
CITY OF HOPKINS
DATE: Sept. 14, 1982
TO: William Craig, City Manager
FROM: O.L. LaBerge, Police Supt.
SUBJECT: TRANSMITTAL Liquor License Violation Richard's Liquor
This matter stems from a violation which occurred back in
November, 1981. The_case is finally complete from a Police
Dept. point of view since the liquor store clerk has finally
pled guilty as charged.
Commander Pratt has reviewed all reports and since this is
a second similar violation at this business establishment, he
recommends a suspension of the liquor license there.
Since this is a second violation of a similar nature, I concur
in his recommendation.
1010 FIRST STREET SOUTH HOPKINS, MINNESOTA 55343 612/935 -8474
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Superintendent LaBerge
FROM: Commander Pratt
SUBJECT: Richard's Luor Liquor License Violation 11 -6 -81
CITY OF HOPKINS
DAVE: September 14, 1982
As a follow up on Hopkins Police Case 81010752: illegal sale of liquor to person
under age of nineteen. This took place on 11 -6 -81, with Reserve Officer Rice and
Patrol Officer Sorlie investigating and later filing formal charges against both
the minor and the Richard's sales clerk.
Phillip William Cronen 9 -7 -63 pled guilty to charge 12 -23 -81 and payed $50.00 fine
and court costs for purchase liquor as minor.
Brian Raymond Barlage 3- 21 -59, employee of Richard's Liquor, pled guilty on August
23, 1982 on charge of Illegal sale to minor through negotiated plea. No fine and
a six month stay of imposition. There have been many continuances requested by
Barlage's attorney and Richards Liquor attorney regarding this matter.
Hopkins Police will now close the case on this latest Richard's Liquor incident.
Recommendation still stands for City Council action regarding suspension of liquor
license as suggested in November 11, 1981 memo to you.
This is the second time that a employee of Richards Liquor has been found guilty
of selling liquor to a minor. The previous time was May 2, 1980, Hopkins Case
80004061. Lt. DOnald Bentley sent a memo to City Council regarding that case.