On Nov. 19, the METRICH Enforcement Unit, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, along with staff members from Community Action for Capable Youth, conducted an alcohol and tobacco sales compliance operation.
People under the age of 21 were taken to 87 businesses in Richland County where they attempted to purchase alcohol or tobacco products. Four employees sold tobacco products and 11 employees sold some type of alcoholic beverage to underage customers. The 15 persons who were cited will be required to appear in Mansfield Municipal Court or Shelby Municipal Court.
The businesses that sold alcohol to underage person were:
1) Interstate Marathon, 495 Woodville Road, Mansfield
2) Marion Avenue Drive Thru, 289 Marion Avenue, Mansfield
3) Circle K, 98 Lexington Avenue, Mansfield
4) Park Ave. Drive Thru, 295 Park Avenue West, Mansfield
5) Mansfield Beer Dock, 753 Springmill Street, Mansfield
6) Papa Johnny’s Drive Thru, 702 Bowman Street, Mansfield
7) In & Out Mart, 300 N. Mulberry Street, Mansfield
8) Galloping Goose, 504 W. Fourth Street, Mansfield
9) Puffs, 950 Ashland Road, Mansfield
10) Circle K, 2094 Park Avenue West, Mansfield
11) Cornells Grocery, 147 Mansfield Avenue, Shelby
The businesses that sold cigarettes to underage persons were:
1) Geyers Market, 280 E. Main Street, Lexington
2) Rite Aid, 1075 Ashland Road, Mansfield
3) Shonnies Mini Mart, 773 Laver Road, Mansfield
4) Dollar General Store, 458 Springmill Street, Mansfield
The 11 alcohol-related cases will be reviewed by the Ohio Investigative Unit for further charges on the liquor permit holder of the business.
Lt. Stortz commends the 72 businesses that comply with Ohio Law which forbids the sale of tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age and the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age.