A statewide effort by the Florida Sheriff's Task Force to combat underage drinking during spring break is in full swing locally. The initiative is called Operation Dry Spring.
In Polk County deputies use an undercover teenager to try and buy alcohol at local businesses.
"What we do is we go in and we use one of our Explorers to make alcohol purchases at convenience stores and other stores," explained Polk Sheriff's Sergeant Vernon Noad.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office routinely conducts similar "Pop Top" operations, but Operation Dry Spring is designed to ramp up as spring break approaches.
"We get a lot of complaints in to the department about kids having parties at night with alcohol, kids coming to school with alcohol that type of thing. We're just trying to combat that," Noad said.
Indu Patel works at a convenience store in Polk County and wouldn't sell alcohol to the 16-year-old boy who tried to buy it as part of Operation Dry Spring.
"When I see the ID it said '97, so he's under age," she said.
At a Chevron gas station in Winter Haven Aardi Patel didn't make the same decision according to deputies.
They say the 44-year-old sold an alcoholic Four Loko beverage to the undercover 16-year-old. Deputies took her away in handcuffs.
Investigators aren't prepared to give a running total yet of all the arrests they've made to date as part of Operation Dry Spring. A final, statewide total will be released April 11th.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:04 AM EDT2013-05-19 13:04:58 GMT
Security camera image
Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Friday at a Winter Haven grocery store.
Winter Haven Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's Deputy Friday at a Winter Haven grocery store.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-19 11:48:39 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:43 AM EDT2013-05-19 06:43:27 GMT
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:39:11 GMT
BOB LEWISAP Political Writer RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Republicans have chosen firebrand conservative minister E.W. Jackson's for lieutenant governor, the first black candidate the party has nominated
Jackson provoked the loudest ovation of the day, declaring in an impassioned speech, "I am not an African-American, I am an American!"
It's been less than 10 months since the world record for a lottery prize. On Saturday night, it could conceivably fall once again.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Florida has beaten them all by matching the numbers drawn for the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million, lottery officials disclosed Sunday.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:47 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:47:25 GMT
BOB LEWISAP Political Writer RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia's conservative activist attorney general, formally became the Republican gubernatorial nominee by acclamation Saturday in a
Cuccinelli used his nomination speech to tack to the political center as he eyes the November election, minimizing his support for restrictions on abortion and opposition to gay rights, as he attacked Democratic nominee Terry McAuliffe
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:45 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:45:29 GMT
Saturday was the big day of serving in cities across the country, including here in Roanoke. Nearly 200 teens and leaders who participated in the event got to relax at Green Memorial United Methodist Church
They spent most of the morning and afternoon in the West End neighborhood picking up trash, painting and doing easy home repairs.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:44 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:44:32 GMT
With the cutting of a ribbon Saturday morning, it was finally time for the public to experience first hand what nearly two-years of work, and $27 million in upgrades created at Downtown Roanoke's Center
Judging by the expressions and reactions of people who walked into the science and cultural mecca on Saturday, the $27 million renovation is getting good reviews
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:32:41 GMT
Virginia Tech Police are searching for a man who officers say robbed a female student on campus Saturday morning.The young woman told investigators that she was walking in-between Vawter and Newman Halls
Woman was walking in-between Vawter and Newman Halls at 7:35 a.m., when a man walked up behind her, told her not to turn around, grabbed her purse, then ran off.
