Norwich — Employees of five city liquor stores — Discount Liquor World, The Square Package Store, E-Z Market, Norwich Wine & Spirits and Occum Package Store — were arrested Thursday evening and charged with sale of liquor to a minor, according to police.

Sgt. Thomas Lazzaro said in a news release that the respective employees arrested were Phil Contreras, Rakesh Mishra, Dheyang Dorjee, Donald Obryon and Jacob Wysoski. Each was released on a $1,000 bond and assigned a court date of July 26.

The five establishments also will be referred to the Division of Liquor Control, within the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, for possible sanctions, Lazzaro said.

The arrests occurred after officers conducted previously announced compliance checks at 16 retail liquor stores, with the assistance of four trained undercover decoys between the ages of 17 and 19.

Police commended the other 11 stores for refusing to sell alcohol to those under 21: Universal Discount Package Store, Kenny P's II Wine & Spirits, Bean Hill Spirit Shoppe, H & B Package Store, Gary's Wine and Spirits, Scotty's M and M Spirits, Amazing Discount Wine and Spirits, Big Harry's Discount Liquors, Towne Liquor Store, Eastside Discount Liquor and PK's Discount Liquor.

Lazzaro said an operation conducted last year also found that five stores sold liquor to minors.