INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Five people have been arrested after the Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputies conducted underage compliance checks of more than 17 stores. Authorities sent a 16-year-old into the businesses to try to purchase tobacco and a weapon.
“These compliance checks are important to ensure that our children do not have access to tobacco, alcohol, and weapons,” Sheriff Deryl Loar said. “We conduct checks throughout the year and always find clerks who break the law despite our continued enforcement. If we can reduce the ways minors obtain illegal items, we improve the quality of life for everyone in our community.”
The teen was sent into the Dragon’s Edge store at the Indian River Mall after authorities got a tip the store was selling weapons to minors.
The teen was able to purchase a large dagger from a clerk at the store, resulting in the clerk’s arrest.
Authorities also sent the teenage to gas stations and convenience stores, where clerks at three gas stations and one store sold the minor tobacco products.
Those locations where arrests were made include:
- BP Gas Station – 2000 9th Street SW
- One Stop Shop – 8108 US 1
- Chevron Gas Station – 9494 County Road 512
- Shell Gas Station – 975 27th Avenue SW
Authorities did not release the names of the clerks who were arrested.
