2 Businesses Sold Vape, Tobacco To Underage Buyers: Aurora Police

AURORA, IL — Nine more businesses in Aurora were tested Sept. 29 to see if employees would sell alcohol or tobacco to underage buyers, with two failing, Aurora police said Thursday morning.

Cadets, all underage, and Special Operations Group investigators conducted the undercover detail as part of the Aurora Police Department's ongoing effort to ensure compliance with local laws. With supervision, cadets visited nine shops to attempt to purchase alcohol or tobacco, and all employees refused to serve them.

Employees from Dragon Smoke and Vape, at 1048 N. Farnsworth Ave., and Casey's, at 330 N. Eola Road, were cited for violating ordinances prohibiting the sale of alcohol or tobacco to anyone under 21. The staff members were given notices to appear in court at later dates.

The following businesses were found in compliance:

• 7-Eleven, 2411 W. Sullivan Road (Alcohol)
• BP, 2200 W. Galena Blvd. (Alcohol)
• Express Mobile Mart, 1030 N. Lake St. (Tobacco)
• Maya's World Smoke and Vape, 261 E. Indian Trail Road (Vape)
• Circle K, 1851 N. Farnsworth Ave. (Nicotine)
• Paulie's Pub, 444 N. Eola Road (Alcohol)
• BP, 2595 Ogden Ave. (Tobacco)

When investigators conducted the previous compliance check earlier in September, no businesses were found in violation, Patch reported. In August, Shell, at 407 S. Lake St., failed in the undercover sting.

"These compliance checks are an important tool to make sure businesses are following the law and protecting young people," Special Operations Group Lieutenant Christopher McWilliams said in a statement. "We value the cooperation of the businesses that did the right thing and will continue working to hold others accountable when violations occur."