Riverhead Police arrested two people on charges of selling tobacco/vape products to patrons under age 21.
Grace B. Quizhpi Pizarro, 25, of Hampton Bays, an employee of the Gulf gas station at 1879 Old Country Road, and Paul Phillips, 26, of Center Moriches, an employee of Speedway Gas at 870 Old Country Road were arrested and charged with Unlawful Dealing with a Child in the Second Degree, a class B misdemeanor, according to a police press release. Both were processed and released on desk appearance tickets with future court dates, police said.
The arrests came during a compliance investigation across town targeting the sale of tobacco and vape products to underage patrons conducted by the Riverhead Police Department COPE Division in cooperation with the Riverhead Community Awareness Program. Police checked 15 retail establishments in Riverhead Town, according to the press release.
Police said the following vendors were found to be in compliance:
4670 Middle Country Road (BP Gas)
6278 Rte 25A (Wading River Smoke Shop)
6305 Rte 25A (Speedway)
4129 Middle Country Rd (Sunoco)
3705 Middle Country Rd (Mobil)
1698 Old Country Road (One Stop Smoke Shop)
1575 Old Country Road (Bola Mobil)
1356 Old Country Road (Valero)
1050 Osborn Ave (Empire Gas)
1085 Old Country Road (Gotham Smoke)
763 Old Country Road (Bapa Vapor & Smoke)
640 Old Country Road, (Empire Gas)
162 Old Country Road (7-11 DMV Plaza)
Police said they will continue to conduct compliance checks throughout the year.
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