WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Winter Haven Police Department made three arrests over the weekend after alcoholic beverages were sold to minors.
The operation was carried out on Friday and Saturday in response to ongoing complaints received by the Department about sales to minors at nearby establishments.
The illegal alcohol sales occurred during WHPD's Operation Pop Top campaign, in which minors working with the Department visited various stores and establishments to see if the clerk or bartender would sell an alcoholic beverage to someone under 21 years of age.
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Over the weekend, a total of 12 bars/restaurants and convenience stores were checked for alcohol sales. Of those checked, one restaurant and two bars were not in compliance with the four convenience stores, and the remaining establishments were in compliance.
Those establishments NOT in compliance resulted in one arrest each:
Dukes Brewhouse \- 1708 6th St SE: Despite showing the IDs of the underage patrons, the minors were served two alcoholic beverages, resulting in the arrest of 21-year-old Elizabeth Cravey of Auburndale.
Caribbean Bay \- 1004 Lake Howard Dr. SW; Despite showing the IDs of the underage patrons, the minors were served two alcoholic beverages resulting in the arrest of 45-year-old Hebe Alexandra Light of Davenport.
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Old Man Frank's \- 1005 Lake Howard Dr. No ID was requested for age verification, and the minor was served an alcoholic beverage, resulting in the arrest of 67-year-old Debbie Ann Dekle of Winter Haven.
"These types of operations are important for our community to ensure our businesses that sell alcohol know that we taker underage sales serious," said Police Chief David Brannan. "I want to thank each of these businesses, that were in compliance, for helping to keep our youth safe."
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