4 Lake Co. Gas Stations Cited for Selling Tobacco to Underage Customers

LAKE COUNTY, IL -- Four Lake County gas stations were recently cited for selling tobacco to underage customers, authorities said Tuesday.

In November, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office conducted its third round of tobacco compliance checks at 65 establishments across Lake County, which sell tobacco products. The compliance checks are meant to make sure establishments selling tobacco o are not selling to anyone under the age of 18, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Of the establishments checked, four sold tobacco to someone under the age of 18. Those establishments include:

• Phillips 66 Gas Station, 31727 North Route 12 in Volo. Clerk: Maria Elias, 47. Date of Sale: November 6, 2016
• Mel’s Amoco, 209 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. Clerk: Jeanine Towner, 58. Date of Sale: November 6, 2016
• Citgo Gas Station, 41082 North Route 83, Antioch. Clerk: Gina L. Pedicone, 38. Date of Sale: November 15, 2016
• Mobil Gas Station, 39119 North Lewis Avenue, Beach Park. Clerk: Aziz K. Shakoor, 25. Date of Sale: November 16, 2016

Of the four establishments in violation, three failed to ask for or check identification. One establishment checked identification, but sold the tobacco to the underage person anyway.

“There are so many risks to children using tobacco products,” Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said. “We will continue conducting compliance checks in 2017 to ensure businesses are not selling tobacco to anyone underage.”

“The Lake County Sheriff’s Office takes the requirements of the sale of tobacco and alcohol seriously,” Undersheriff Ray Rose said. “We expect our Lake County businesses to do the same, and ensure they are verifying the age of those they sell to.”