Mohammad Sohail, store owner who took pity on robber, busted for selling illegal drug paraphernalia
A compassionate convenience store owner who took pity on a would-be robber has been busted on charges of selling drug paraphernalia.
The same day Mohammad Sohail’s big heart earned him nationwide fame, his store in Shirley, L.I., was one of seven businesses raided by town investigators.
Pipes and bongs were seized from Shirley Express on Tuesday night, and the 46-year-old was charged with breaking Brookhaven town codes, a civil violation.
He does not face criminal charges, but will likely have to pay a hefty fine.
Sohail defended his decision to sell the items Thursday, saying he never received a summons or a ticket and was unaware the pipes could be used for drug use.
“I’ve never even smoked a cigarette in my life. I thought they were for tobacco,” he said.
“I don’t even drink beer, just strawberry milk.”
Sohail made headlines this week when details emerged of his encounter with a masked bandit who entered his store May 21 and attempted to rob him.
Instead of giving in to the robber’s demands, the Pakistani immigrant reached for his licensed shotgun and pointed it at the crook, who fell to his knees and begged for forgiveness.
Sohail took pity on the sobbing man, who told him he was broke and unemployed, and sent him on his way with $40 and a loaf of bread.
He also made the robber vow to end his lawbreaking, and he has said he does not intend to press charges.
Of the paraphernalia seizure, he said Thursday, “It was a town raid, not a police raid. They simply confiscated the pipes.”
Sohail said investigators seized 101 pipes and six bongs from his premises. He worried that news of the raid would detract from the message that he hoped his act of forgiveness would spread.
“I’m not selling drugs,” he said.
"I can leave everything - this store, everything in it - for my good name.
“I love my good reputation.”