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.