6 Accused of Selling Cigs to Minors

 officers embarked on a local sting last week in which they cited six store clerks for violating the village's tobacco ordinance.

The employees sold one pack of smokes each to a 16-year-old juvenile on May 31, according to the police reports. The customer reportedly wasn't asked for identification or age in five of the cases. In one instance, she gave ID to the clerk and he sold her the smokes anyway, police said.

Among employees cited was Mohammad J. Abdalrahmam, 37, of Hickory Hills, who reportedly sold a pack of El Hennawy tobacco to the underage customer around 9:10 p.m. at Sahara Hookah Lounge, 7899 W. 159th St.

Rashmikan A. Patel, 47, of Tinley Park sold the girl a pack of Virginia Slims at E&B Liquor on North Street around 8:40 p.m., police said, and Khaled Ayyad, 45, of Burbank, OKed a pack of Layalina at Tinley Market, 16721 S. 80th Ave.

The store owner of Bayberry Pantry on 171st Street in sold the juvenile a pack of Virgina Slims menthol cigarettes around 8:15 p.m., police said. They said Mohammad S. Jafar, 31, of Burbank, even checked her age.

"Jafar asked to see her ID, which she provided," the report said. "Jafar then sold her the pack of cigarettes anyway and the juvenile left the store."

Others busted for underage tobacco sales were Kailasben H. Patel, 56, of Naperville, who works at Tinley Mart, 16701 S. 80th Ave., and David M. Preston, 27, of Glenwood, who was behind the counter at Tinley Park Shell, 17101 S. Harlem Ave.

All are scheduled to appear in court later this month.

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