A Rapid City gas station failed an underage alcohol-sales compliance check conducted Thursday night by Rapid City police.

Sgt. Peter Ragnone said the Gas Depot, at 520 Birch Ave., sold alcohol to underage police informants.

The clerk who sold it, Andrea L. Thorn, 20, of Rapid City was issued a citation for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The charge is a class 2 misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty upon conviction of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Ragnone said 20 businesses were checked, and the Gas Depot was the only business that did not comply. A man who answered the phone at that station Friday said an owner or manager was not available for comment.

Ragnone said that since Jan. 1, 12 Rapid City businesses have failed compliance checks and sold to underage informants.

Business that were in compliance Thursday night included the Loaf N' Jug, 1601 Haines Ave.; the SPF convenience store, 2215 Haines Ave., Cenex, 1160 La Crosse St.; the Horseshoe Bar, 1407 1/2 E. North St.; Prairie Bottle Market, 13 New York St.; the Hall Inn, 214 E. St. Joseph St.; the Warehouse Bar, 200 E. Main St.; BJ's, 701 E. St. Patrick St.; the Stampede, 640 E. St. Patrick St.; the Rodeway Inn, 2208 Mount Rushmore Road; Common Cents, 1129 W. Omaha St.; Days Inn Lounge, 725 Jackson Boulevard; Shooters, 2424 W. Main St.; Meadowood Lounge, 3809 Sturgis Road; Canyon Lake Liquors, 4244 Canyon Lake Drive; Loaf N' Jug, 4260 Canyon Lake Drive; Common Cents, 4128 Canyon Lake Drive; and Canyon Lake Pub, 4116 Jackson Blvd.

Bev Olafson, bartender at the Stampede, was on duty Thursday night when police performed their checks.

She said a guy and a girl came in together and sat down.

"You just go over and greet 'em. 'How are you guys tonight?'"

When she asked for their ID, "They say, 'Sorry, I left it in my car.' I say, 'Well, you have to go get it.' I always do that."

She said she tells younger-looking customers that the bar cards everybody.

"It's just a policy we have."

Olafson said the police checks keep bartenders on their toes; otherwise, it might be easy to let the rules slide.

A police news release said the Family Thrift Center at 751 Mountain View Road also passed the check, but that store does not sell alcohol. Police detectives could not be reached late Friday to explain. Store representatives at the other Family Thrift Centers in town, as well as the Boyds Drug Mart in Baken Park, said they did not know whether they had been checked.

Editor's note: This story has been changed from its original publication to reflect that the Family Thrift Center at 751 Mountain View Road does not sell alcohol.