Teen accused of robbing liquor store given fine for possessing tobacco while underage

Lang
8/26/23

A teenager accused of robbing an Iowa City liquor store has been fined for possessing a tobacco or vape product while under the legal age.

The 16-year-old suspect had been accused of entering Liquor Downtown on South Gilbert Street just after 9pm on July 5th with a gun in his waistband.  The teen allegedly used his cellphone to write a note threatening to shoot the clerk if he was not given Mr. Fog vape pens. He then reportedly fled the business and was last seen heading southbound on Gilbert Street. There were no reported injuries.

Police say when the teen was taken into custody, he had one of the Mr. Fog vape pens in his pocket. Due to his age, he is not legally allowed to possess nicotine.

The boy was charged with 1st Degree Robbery, a Class B Felony punishable by a prison term of up to 25 years if convicted. He was also ticketed for being an underage person using a vape product.

A check of Iowa Courts Online shows the robbery charge has since been removed from the teen’s record. Earlier this week he was found guilty of possessing a tobacco or vape product under the legal age and given an undisclosed fine.