(Olympia) – A 30-year-old security guard at TJ’s, a restricted (21 only) establishment in Kirkland, was arrested Thursday night and charged with allowing a minor to frequent an age-restricted establishment, obstructing a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest during a routine compliance check of the establishment.

Liquor Enforcement Officers from the Seattle Regional Office of the Washington State Liquor Control Board conducted the compliance check of TJ’s on Lake Street with two minor operatives, one 18 and one 19. The officers said they observed the minors be allowed to enter the restricted area by the security guard after he had checked their identification.

After the minor operatives had been escorted out of the establishment by liquor enforcement officers following the compliance check, the security guard was asked to provide identification so he could be cited for allowing a minor to frequent a restricted establishment. According to the arresting officer’s report, the guard did not comply with repeated requests to provide identification.

Only after the guard was threatened with pepper spray did he relinquish his driver’s license, the arresting officer reported. The guard was then handcuffed, charged and taken to the King County Jail by Kirkland Police Officers, where he was booked.

The liquor enforcement officer who made the arrest was Tony Sowards. He was assisted by LEO Tom Sacco.

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