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PEEKSKILL, N.Y. A Peekskill store employee who allegedly sold alcohol to the 18-year-old man who drowned in a Buchanan pond last week has been arrested by State Police. Rosa E. Saquinaula, 32, of Peekskill, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with selling alcohol to Santiago Mendia, who drowned July 14, according to State Police at the Cortlandt Barracks. An investigation determined that Mendia went into the Valentine Grocery store, at 943 Second St., at approximately 7 p.m. and bought four 24-ounce cans of Four Loco alcoholic beverage without either showing or being asked for identification proving he was 21 years old. Mendia appeared intoxicated the last time he was seen Saturday night, witnesses told state police. His body was found in the pond on Monday, July 16, at approximately 8:15 a.m. An autopsy performed by the Westchester Medical Examiner's Office on Monday indicated that Mendia died as a result of accidental drowning. Toxicology results are still pending. Anyone with information regarding the activities of Santiago Mendia prior to his death is urged to contact the State Police Cortland Barracks at 914-788-8044.
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