Riverside Convenience Store Clerk and Owner Charged In Connection With Illegal Fireworks

The owner and a clerk at a Riverside convenience store are facing charges in connection with the sale of illegal fireworks.

Fire Marshal Oscar Elmasian said that he got a call this morning from the state fire marshal's office that illegal fireworks were being sold at Sonny's Convenience on Willett Avenue. The store had gotten permission from the city to sell legal fireworks.

Elmasian said he contacted police Captain Richard Frazier, who set up an undercover operation. Once illegal fireworks were able to be purchased, Elmasian said, police secured the store and got a search warrant.

The fire marshal went through the store and found two boxes of illegal fireworks.

Daureen Clyde, a clerk at the store, is facing a charge of selling illegal fireworks, according to police. She lives at 10 Willett Ave.

Store owner Dahyalal Patel, who lives at 452 Somerset Ave., is facing a charge of possession of illegal fireworks.