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Officers responding to a possible breaking and entering at Baskin-Robbins 31 Ice Cream & Yogurt, East Center Street, Warsaw, at 3:03 a.m. today found five minors allegedly drinking alcoholic beverages inside the business instead.
According to Warsaw Police Department reports, officers observed several people inside the business upon arrival. One of the subjects, Robert S. Tidmore, 17, of 2030 Deer Trail, Warsaw, was asked by officers what they were doing inside the business. Tidmore allegedly responded they were cleaning up and "just hanging out," but then failed to answer more questions and was handcuffed.
While Tidmore was escorted out, another male ran out of the business. An officer yelled for the subject to stop but the subject reportedly failed to comply. Officers were unable to locate the fleeing subject.
Three additional people were brought out of the business and portable Breathalyzer tests were given to each person.
Three teen-agers were transported to the WPD and released to their parents: Tidmore; James R. Kennedy, 17, of 16 EMS C19B Lane, Warsaw; and Kristen A. Denney, 17, of 1736 Hartzler St., Warsaw.
Elizabeth Johanna Berry, 18, of 634 N. Johnson St., Warsaw, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail for possession and consumption of alcohol by a minor. Her bond was set at $175.
Berry is an employee of Baskin-Robbins.
Berry had a blood alcohol content of .066 percent; Tidmore had a BAC of .022 percent; Kennedy had a BAC of .072 percent; Denney had a BAC of .032 percent.
At 5:10 a.m., the male who ran from the scene turned himself in. Kevin D. Powell, 20, of 409 Kings Highway, Winona Lake, was charged with illegal consumption and possession of alcohol by a minor and fleeing law enforcement. His bond was set at $250.
Tom Donkers, the owner of Baskin-Robbins, arrived at the scene and, according to WPD reports, said he didn't mind if the teen-agers were in the store as long as they were not drinking.
Everything in the store appeared in order except an empty vodka bottle in the trash.
