Florida Crime Files: 97-year-old beloved bartender punched in the face while on the job
A woman is accused of punching a 97-year-old bartender in the face, a Florida man is accused of pulling a gun on his former boss and threatening to kill everyone over $75, and a Florida man is accused of drunkenly fleeing from a deputy while driving a golf cart: Here’s FOX 35’s Florida Crime Files.
Beloved 97-year-old bartender assaulted at Fort Myers Beach bar: Sheriff’s office
Sarah Lucille Powell, 24, of Punta Gorda, faces multiple charges, including battery on a person 65 years of age or older, battery on an officer, resisting an officer, and providing a false ID to an officer.
A beloved 97-year-old bartender at a popular Fort Myers Beach bar was assaulted by a drunk customer, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the intoxicated woman punched the bartender in the face during an altercation inside Hurricane Tina’s Bar on San Carlos Blvd. just after noon on Thursday, July 18.
The bartender, Betty Kai, affectionately known as “Betty Boop” by regulars, said the woman claimed to be the bar owner’s sister and became aggressive when denied another drink. According to an arrest report, the woman grabbed Kai’s arm and struck her in the face with a closed fist before other patrons intervened and escorted her outside.
The suspect, described as a short, heavy-set Hispanic woman with frizzy black hair and a large chest tattoo, fled on foot but was later located and arrested.
Sarah Lucille Powell, 24, of Punta Gorda, now faces multiple charges, including battery on a person 65 years of age or older, battery on an officer, resisting an officer, and providing a false ID to an officer. The charges carry a bond of $12,250.
Kai sustained multiple lacerations on her forearm and a red, swollen cheek. Lee County EMS treated her injuries on-site, but she declined further medical treatment.
Kai told deputies she intended to press charges, and surveillance footage of the incident was collected, the sheriff’s office said.
Florida man pulls gun on former boss, threatens to kill everyone over $75: deputies
Booking photo of Tito Evan-Lloyd (Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)
A Florida man was taken to jail on Monday after he allegedly pulled a gun on his former manager and threatened to kill everyone over $75, according to deputies.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrested Tito Evan-Lloyd, 39, of Ruskin, on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felon carrying a concealed weapon, and felon in possession of a firearm, a news release stated.
On Monday, at around 10:30 a.m., deputies responded to the 4400 block of Eagle Falls Place in Tampa where Evan-Lloyd reportedly confronted his former manager because he was upset about his paycheck.
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Deputies said Evan-Lloyd then brandished a concealed gun and made threats to kill everyone. He then left the area.
Evan-Lloyd was later found at a residence on the 400 block of Royal Palm Empress Drive in Ruskin.
“It is shocking that someone would resort to such extreme measures over a $75 matter. Violence and intimidation have no place in Hillsborough County,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “The suspect’s actions were a serious threat to public safety, and our deputies did an outstanding job in bringing him into custody quickly.”
Florida man on golf cart accused of drunkenly fleeing from deputy in The Villages
Florida man gets DUI on golf cart
A Sumter County man was arrested after drunkenly fleeing from a deputy in The Villages, officials said.
A Sumter County man accused of drunkenly riding a golf cart illegally was arrested after taking a deputy on a chase while driving under the influence.
On July 19, around 1:00 a.m., a deputy saw a red golf cart traveling in the middle of the roadway, taking up both lanes illegally near C-466 in The Villages. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the man driving the golf cart, but he reportedly did not stop.
For a short time, the golf cart driver, 21-year-old Christopher Esdale, illegally drove on and off roadways as the deputy followed him with sirens blazing and lights activated, an affidavit shows.
At one point, the deputy said he pulled his car out in front of Esdale, who then drove into the grass in an attempt to evade law enforcement.
The deputy eventually got out of his car and reached into the golf cart to pull Esdale out after he refused to stop.
Esdale had watery, glassy eyes, slightly slurred speech, and a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.
Deputies also saw a bottle of whiskey that appeared to have fallen from Esdale’s golf cart.
Florida woman accused of punching beloved 97-year-old bartender
by: Kaycee Sloan
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A 24-year-old woman was arrested Friday after she allegedly punched a beloved 97-year-old bartender in the face during an altercation at Hurricane Tina’s Bar in Fort Myers.
The victim, Betty Kai, 97, told the Lee County Sheriff’s Office she was bartending when Sarah Powell, 24, walked into the bar claiming to be the owner’s sister. Kai said she knew the owner very well and knew this was untrue, but told Powell the owner would be coming in later.Residents evacuated after large ‘ground depression’ opens up under Florida home
Powell then went over and sat at one of the video games, but after a few moments, she came back to the bar and began ordering drinks. That’s when Kai told her she was not going to serve her any alcohol because she was “already intoxicated.”
According to an arrest report, when Powell was denied service, she became “very agitated and aggressive” with the 97-year-old.
The 24-year-old began threatening Kai and approached the entrance of the bar. When Kai blocked her from going behind the bar, Powell grabbed her right forearm. Kai told deputies she tried to push her away, which caused Powell to lose grip on her arm. As the 97-year-old pulled away, Powell punched her in the face, the report stated.
After Kai was hit, multiple people in the bar restrained Powell, escorted her out of the bar, and locked the doors. Kai suffered multiple cuts to her right forearm, and her cheek was red and slightly swollen, deputies said.Boil water notice issued after power outage causes ‘citywide’ water outage in Bradenton
According to the report, once a deputy arrived at the bar, Powell had already left.
When deputies located Powell on Friday, she allegedly gave a false name and tried to leave the scene. According to the sheriff’s office, Powell became disorderly and tried to hit a deputy in the face several times before being detained on the ground.
Powell was arrested and faces several charges including, battery on a person over 65 years or older, battery on law enforcement, giving a false name to law enforcement, and resisting an officer without violence.
She is currently behind held at the Lee County Jail.
NBC affiliate WBBH did a story on Kai and her impact as a beloved and legendary bartender on Fort Meyers Beach in September 2023.
Woman accused of punching 97-year-old bartender on San Carlos Island
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SAN CARLOS ISLAND, Fla. —
A woman was arrested Friday after she reportedly punched a 97-year-old bartender in the face during an altercation at Hurricane Tina’s Bar on San Carlos Island.
According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the bar at 19051 San Carlos Blvd. on Thursday. The victim, Betty Kai, told deputies she was bartending when a woman, later identified as 24-year-old Sarah Powell, came into the bar claiming to be the sister of the bar owner. Kai said she knew the owner very well and believed this to be untrue, but told Powell the owner would be coming in later.
Kai said Powell appeared to be intoxicated and returned to the bar a few moments later to order drinks. The LCSO incident report states that when Kai refused to serve Powell alcohol, she became upset and aggressive toward the older woman. Powell began threatening Kai and approached the entrance of the bar. When Kai blocked her from entering the bar, Powell grabbed her by the right forearm. Kai said she tried to push her away, causing Powell to lose her grip on her arm. As Kai pulled away, Powell punched her in the face, according to the report.
After Kai was hit, multiple people in the bar restrained Powell and led her out of the establishment. Kai locked the doors to the bar and called 911. She suffered multiple cuts to her right forearm and her right cheek was red and swollen, LCSO said.
When a deputy arrived at the scene, Powell had already left, heading toward Fort Myers Beach.
On Friday, deputies located Powell in the area of Third Street and Old San Carlos Boulevard. Deputies say Powell gave a false name and tried to leave the scene. She reportedly became disorderly and tried to hit a deputy in the face before being detained on the ground.
Powell faces the following charges:
- False name given to law enforcement
- Battery on person 65 years or older
- Battery on law enforcement
- Resisting an officer without violence
She remains in custody at the Lee County Jail.
In September 2023, NBC2 did a story on Kai and her impact as a beloved bartender on Fort Myers Beach. We are working to learn more about her recovery from this incident.
Beloved 97-year-old bartender assaulted at Fort Myers Beach bar: Sheriff’s office
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ORLANDO, Fla. – A beloved 97-year-old bartender at a popular Fort Myers Beach bar was assaulted by a drunk customer, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the intoxicated woman punched the bartender in the face during an altercation inside Hurricane Tina’s Bar on San Carlos Blvd. just after noon on Thursday, July 18.
The bartender, Betty Kai, affectionately known as “Betty Boop” by regulars, said the woman claimed to be the bar owner’s sister and became aggressive when denied another drink. According to an arrest report, the woman grabbed Kai’s arm and struck her in the face with a closed fist before other patrons intervened and escorted her outside.
The suspect, described as a short, heavy-set Hispanic woman with frizzy black hair and a large chest tattoo, fled on foot but was later located and arrested.
Sarah Lucille Powell, 24, of Punta Gorda, faces multiple charges, including battery on a person 65 years of age or older, battery on an officer, resisting an officer, and providing a false ID to an officer.
Sarah Lucille Powell, 24, of Punta Gorda, now faces multiple charges, including battery on a person 65 years of age or older, battery on an officer, resisting an officer, and providing a false ID to an officer. The charges carry a bond of $12,250.
Kai sustained multiple lacerations on her forearm and a red, swollen cheek. Lee County EMS treated her injuries on-site, but she declined further medical treatment.
Kai told deputies she intended to press charges, and surveillance footage of the incident was collected, the sheriff’s office said.
