The Fifth Precinct reports the arrest of five (5) men during the “Project 21” initiative, which targets the sale of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products to minors. The initiative was conducted on Monday, October 23, 2023, at 5:00 pm in Nassau County.
According to officers, the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit, with the assistance of underage agents, arrested the following individuals as a result of this operation:
- Marcelus Lawson, 18, of 8425 Radnor Street, Jamaica, New York, sold alcohol and tobacco products to a minor at Posh Convenience, 968 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square. Further investigation revealed that this location did not have a valid liquor license and Defendant Lawson was found to be in possession of a spiked metal knuckle. He is charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree, Prohibited Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage to a Minor, Unlawful Sale of Tobacco Products, Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st Degree, Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree, and Unlawful Sale without Appropriate License.
- Arquimedes Lopez, 55, of 91 Ocean Avenue, Valley Stream, sold alcohol to a minor at Al Mini Market, 91 Ocean Avenue, Valley Stream. He is charged with Prohibited Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage, Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st Degree and Sale of Age Restricted Products.
- Yashvantkumar V. Shah, 72, of 20 Lloyd Street, New Hyde Park, sold alcohol and tobacco products to a minor at Newstand, 1155 Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square. He is charged with two (2) counts of Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st Degree and two (2) counts Prohibited Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage.
- Sagar D. Chaudhary, 22, of 4323 Colden Street, Flushing, New York, sold alcohol and tobacco products to a minor at Dogwood Farms Convenience Store, 370 Dogwood Avenue, Franklin Square. He is charged with Prohibited Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage to a Minor, Unlawful Sale of Tobacco Products, Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 1st Degree and Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree.
- Md Shahbaz, 31, of 1515 Stone Street, Elmont, sold tobacco products to a minor at E. Smoke Shop, 238-12 Linden Boulevard, Elmont. He is charged with Unlawful Sale of Tobacco Products and Unlawfully Dealing with a Child 2nd Degree.
All five defendants were issued Desk Appearance Tickets returnable on Thursday, November 9, 2023, to First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.