3-31-2023 9:37pm

Individuals in Miller Place and Mount Sinai were arrested for illegally selling e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 21.

Samantha Hespos Editor

Mount Sinai/Miller Place, NY

On March 30, two individuals were arrested by Suffolk County Police for reportedly vending e-cigarettes to individuals under the age of 21 at various establishments located in the Sixth Precinct during compliance checkups.

An investigation was carried out jointly by Sixth Precinct Crime Section and Community Support officers, along with representatives from the Suffolk County Department of Health and the Brookhaven Town authorities, following complaints from the community about the sale of vape products to minors in two stores located in the Sixth Precinct. The investigation took place between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Those who were arrested and citations were given to the businesses.

At 5:05 p.m, Joseph Lombardi, an 18-year-old Coram resident and employee at MNT Convenience Vape situated at 5507-3 Route 347 in Mount Sinai, was apprehended for supposedly engaging in the prohibited sale of cannabis and nicotine/vape to individuals under the age of 21.

At 7:34 p.m., Vipulkumar Patel, a 35-year-old resident of Farmingdale and worker at Miller Place Vape on 345 Route 25A in Miller Place, was taken into custody for reportedly engaging in two instances of selling nicotine/vape products to individuals under the age of 21.

Officers from the Crime Section of the Sixth Precinct confiscated more than 6,900 flavored vape and THC products from the establishments. The individuals taken into custody were given Field Appearance Tickets and will have a future arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip.

Being charged with a crime is an allegation made against someone. Until and except if they are proven guilty, the accused is assumed innocent.