Police: Four clerks sold minors tobacco in check

Police say clerks at four Lincoln businesses sold tobacco to minors during a tobacco compliance check Thursday night.

Officers sent minors into 36 businesses to buy tobacco, Capt. Joy Citta said.

A clerk at the Kabredlo’s Convenience store off of 17th and A streets told a 17-year-old girl he would have to check her I.D. because police were doing compliance checks -- then he sold her tobacco anyway, Citta said.

Clerks also allegedly sold tobacco to 17-year-olds at U-Stop Convenience Shop, 27th Street and Interstate 80, and the Walgreens Drug Store at 1701 South St., Citta said.

A clerk at Fast Mart, 3293 A St., allegedly sold tobacco to a 15-year-old, Citta said.

The clerks were cited on suspicion of selling tobacco to minors, Citta said. The offense is a class 3 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to three months in jail, a $500 fine or both.

The tobacco check was funded through a Health Department grant, she said.

So far this year, Lincoln police have done 176 tobacco compliance checks, Citta said. Of those, 22 clerks have sold to minors, for a total compliance rate of 87.5 percent.