10 minors arrested, Carmel bar cited by excise police

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - Indiana State Excise Police arrested 10 minors and cited a Carmel bar early Sunday morning, according to a news release.

Excise police responded to Double Apple Lounge, 4004 W. 96th Street, around 1:12 a.m., after Carmel police received an anonymous complaint of underage drinking.

“We take this very seriously; minors consuming alcohol and loitering in a bar is something we take very seriously,” said Excise Police Cpl. Travis Thickstun.

Police reports state that during their investigation, excise police officers arrested 10 minors — three of whom were 17 years of age.

They were all cited for minor in tavern, a misdemeanor, and four also received tickets for illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage, also a misdemeanor, police officials said.

Excise police officers cited Double Apple Lounge for 10 counts of allowing a minor to loiter and one count of failing to maintain records of employee permits.

The Double Apple Lounge’s doors have two signs indicating someone must be 21 years of age to enter the bar, the police release stated.

But a Double Apple employee denied the charges. The worker did not want to give us his name but he says the bar/restaurant takes underage drinking seriously. He adds this was a misunderstanding, and that the underage drinkers did not have a sip of alcohol at the bar.

The worker says he is so confident the teens were not drinking at the bar that he suggested investigators review surveillance video from inside the lounge.

“This is a family place, you can eat with your family, but if you ask for wine we always ask for ID,” said the anonymous worker.

According to police, Excise Police officers arrested bar employee David O. Maldonado, 30, of Indianapolis, on an outstanding Boone County warrant and also seized a DVR from the bar.

"State Excise Police officers will continue to work closely with local law enforcement agencies to achieve our primary mission – to reduce minors' access to and use of alcoholic beverages,” Superintendent Matt Strittmatter said.

Excise police officers will continue to investigate complaints concerning illegal alcohol and tobacco sales. Anyone with information on illegal alcohol and tobacco sales should call 317-541-4100.