DATE/TIME: Sunday, March 6, 2022/ 0900-1400 hours
INCIDENT: Tobacco Shoulder Tap Operation
LOCATION: Chino Hills
SUSPECT(S): Cory Rouchon, 30-years-old, Resident of Chino Hills Brian Schwartz, 43-years-old, Resident of Chino Hills, Ruben Vargas, 63-years-old, Resident of Chino Hills
VICTIM(S): State of California
SUMMARY: On Sunday, March 6, 2022, personnel from the Chino Hills Sheriff's Station - Multiple Enforcement Team (MET), conducted a tobacco shoulder tap operation within the city of Chino Hills.
The operation was funded through a tobacco grant, awarded through the Department of Justice (DOJ). The mission of the Chino Hills Shoulder Tap Operation was to educate, inform, and enforce local policies and enforcement activities in accordance with the California Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2003 with the goal of reducing the availability of tobacco products to minors.
Under this program, all businesses in California that sell cigarettes and other tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices must have a California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer License displayed in view of the public. Businesses are also required to post the required STAKE (Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement) Act age-of-sale warning signs at each register.
A decoy under the age of 21 contacted numerous subjects at seven different locations in the city of Chino Hills, and told them he was underage and unable to purchase tobacco products. The decoy requested the subjects purchase tobacco products for him. Three of the subjects purchased and/ or furnished tobacco to the underaged decoy, and were issued citations for PC 308(a)(1) Furnishing
Tobacco to Persons Under 21 Years of Age, and released at the scene.
The Chino Hills Station will continue shoulder tap and decoy operations in accordance with the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program in the near future.
Refer: Sgt. Ian Golditch
Station: Chino Hills Station
Phone No. 909-364-2026
Case No. 222200752, 222200753, 222200754
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
