Police: 11 stores sold alcohol, tobacco to minors

PERKINS TWP. — Police agencies in the region completed compliance checks for underage sales in May. The Perkins Township, Huron and Vermilion police departments, as well as the Erie County Sheriff's Office, verified whether or not store employees were properly asking for identification prior to completing alcohol and tobacco sales. In Ohio, a person must be 21 years old to purchase either alcohol or tobacco. Store clerks are required to verify the person's age through an ID check prior to completing sales of these products. Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth said it is important to ensure people under the age of 21 are not able to buy these products. "We do these checks to keep alcohol away from minors," he said. "Alcohol consumption by underage people can lead to serious situations, particularly on the roadways." Erie County Health Department Commissioner Pete Schade said the tobacco checks are done to keep those products out of kids' hands. "The importance of preventing tobacco addiction is paramount. Hopefully, kids will turn to a different choice other than tobacco," Schade said. Tobacco use amongst young people is down from 22% to 14%, according to Schade. "Both of these percentages are from our community health assessments," Schade said. "We want to keep this trending down." Records provided by the police departments detailed the most recent round of enforcement: Perkins Township police • Businesses checked: 22 • Businesses in compliance: 16 • Businesses that violated: 6 Stores where clerks violated both alcohol and tobacco restrictions: • Mickey Mart, 4700 block Milan Road (U.S. 250) • Meijer gas station, 4700 block Milan Road (U.S. 250) • Hy-Miler, 5500 block Milan Road (U.S. 250) • Mobil gas station, 300 block W. Perkins Ave. Stores where clerks violated the alcohol statute: • Aldi, 3600 block Milan Road (U.S. 250) Stores where clerks violated the tobacco statute: • Five Star Tobacco and Vape, 5500 block Milan Road (U.S. 250) Those who sold tobacco were charged with fourth-degree misdemeanor selling tobacco to a person under the age of 21 Those who sold alcohol were charged with first-degree misdemeanor selling alcohol to a person under the age of 21 Vermilion police • Businesses checked: 14 • Businesses in compliance: 13 • Businesses that violated: 1 The clerk who sold tobacco was charged with fourth-degree misdemeanor selling tobacco to a person under the age of 21. The man was an employee of Flame Tobacco and Vape, 4700 block Liberty Ave. (U.S. 6). Huron police All checked businesses complied with the tobacco statute. No checks for alcohol compliance were completed Huron police Chief Terry Graham said his department checked two establishments. Erie County Sheriff's Office • Businesses checked: 20 • Businesses in compliance: 16 • Businesses that violated: 4 Stores where clerks violated tobacco restrictions: • Dollar General, 7500 block Ohio 61 • Dairy Stop, 12200 block W. Lake Road (U.S. 6) • Country Breeze, 14300 block Ohio 60 • Milan Drive Thru, first block W. Front St. The four clerks were each charged with one count of illegal distribution, which is a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Three businesses were not checked either because they were closed or did not sell tobacco. "I want to congratulate the vast majority of businesses that did not sell," Sigsworth said. "It is clear that most of these employees are strictly enforcing the law regarding underage sales. "Preventing the sale of alcohol to underage people is one key to preventing alcohol-related tragedies with our youth," he added. Port Clinton police Chief Dave Scott said his department did not carry out any checks. Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver said his department will conduct checks at a later date. Norwalk police Scott Dahlgren said his department did not carry out any checks.