Employees at several Elmhurst businesses were cited for selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors last week.
Sale of Tobacco to a Minor:
Mary Betts, 70, 525 Geneva, Elmhurst, for selling a pack of Newports to a minor at BP at 6:13 p.m. Feb. 28.
Ellowyne D. Scott, 43, 574 Fairway, Wheeling, for selling tobacco to a minor at York Road Mart, 641 N. York at 6:39 p.m. Feb. 28. The clerk asked for an ID, used a calculator to calculate the age, then completed the sale of Newport cigarettes to the minor, police said.
Sale of Alcohol to a Minor:
Ponjakhan Khanjanasthiti, 42, 1629 Harlen Ave. Apt. 1, Berwyn, was cited for selling alcohol to a minor at Bambu Thai, 1035 S. York Road, at 6:18 p.m. Feb. 28.
Zenel Dervishi, 57, 589 W. Belden, was cited for selling beer to a minor at York Liquors, 552 S. York Road, at 6:57 p.m. Feb. 28.
Bharatkumar D. Patel, 49, 524 Green Oaks Court Apt. N, Addison, was cited for selling beer to a 20-year-old man at Convenient Food Mart, 416 N. York Road, at 7:33 p.m. Feb. 28. Police said Patel checked the ID, but sold the liquor anyway.
Wayne W. Cowsky, 26, 80y River Forest Drive, Bensenville, was cited for selling alcohol to a minor afte he delivered a bottle of beer to a 20-year-old at 7:50 p.m. Feb. 28.
Lara Lappin, 23, 200 Addison Road, Riverside, was cited for selling beer to a 20-year-old at Arena Sports Bar, 630 W. Lake St., at 8:32 p.m. Feb. 28. Police said she placed the beer on the counter, checked the ID, said it was OK then asked the minor if wanted to pay right away or open a tab.
All of those arrested were released on bond at the scene.
Patch reports on law enforcement activity using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to contact karenc@patch.com and we will do follow-up reporting on the case.
Make very little money, to get in trouble by selling beer to people who are old enough to have served two tours in Afghanistan. We should get these heroes nabbing these poor souls trying to make a living some more recognition, maybe we can all nominate them for CNN's hero of the year. Obviously what I just wrote was sarcasm, but seriously, I would really like to know the agency that is doing this, and their budget and where they get their money when everyone else is tightening their belts. Patch, any additional information would be greatly appreciated.
Restricting people who by law have to register for the Selective Service at 18 is plain wrong, and it's hypocritical too.