MANSFIELD — At least 15 area businesses were caught selling alcohol and tobacco to underage customers on Tuesday, the METRICH Enforcement Unit reported on Wednesday afternoon.

The unit conducted a compliance check throughout the community, stopping at 91 shops.

“On Nov. 22, the METRICH Enforcement Unit with assistance from the Community Action for Capable Youth (CACY) conducted alcohol and tobacco compliance checks throughout various businesses in Richland County,” reported Lt. Joseph D. Petrycki. “Youths under the age of 21 were taken to 91 businesses in Richland County where they attempted to purchase alcohol or tobacco products. Ohio Law 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.”

METRICH reported the following businesses sold alcoholic beverages to an underage person:

1. Interstate Marathon 495 Woodville Rd. Mansfield.

2. Walmart 2485 Possum Run Rd. Mansfield.

3. Quick Mart 563 South Diamond St. Mansfield.

4. Lexington Ave. Drive Thru 261 Lexington Ave. Mansfield.

5. Speedway Station 907 Springmill Rd. Mansfield.

6. Mountain Drive Thru 481 Springmill Rd. Mansfield.

7. Country Side 2256 Park Ave East Mansfield.

8. Valero Station 1605 W. 4th St. Ontario.

9. Circle K 98 Lexington Ave. Mansfield.

10. Park Ave. Drive Thru 295 Park Ave. West Mansfield.

According to METRICH, the businesses that sold tobacco products to underage persons were:

1. Marathon Station 2424 Possum Run Rd. Mansfield.

2. Circle K 30 E. Cook Rd. Mansfield.

3. Matt’s Marathon 1215 Lexington Ave. Mansfield.

4. Speedway Station 2827 U.S. Rt. 42 South Lexington.

5. Geyer’s 280 E. Main St. Lexington. 

Petrycki said the Ohio Investigative Unit will review the alcoholic beverage related cases and further charges may be filed on the liquor permit holder of each business. Those individuals that were cited will be required to appear in the appropriate court where the violation occurred.

The businesses that were checked and were compliant are commended for being vigilant in ensuring their employees are checking identification of persons purchasing alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, authorities said.

“By choosing to be compliant with the laws of Ohio, those business owners are taking responsibility to help keep our children in Richland County safe,” Petrycki said. “Unannounced compliance checks will continue to be conducted in the future to ensure strict compliance to the alcohol and tobacco laws.”

METRICH is a 10-county decentralized task force in North Central Ohio whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the citizens we serve by reducing the availability of illegal drugs and weapons through proactive enforcement efforts.

The success of METRICH is a tribute to the cooperation and support within the Law Enforcement Community in the METRICH region and to those citizens who have chosen to improve the quality of life in their communities by assisting METRICH in reporting suspicious activity and valuable information.

Citizens may report suspicious activity to the crime hot lines at: 419-522-7463 and www.METRICH.com