Benchwarmer’s Owner Cited for Serving to a Minor

The owner of an Ankeny bar and eatery was cited for serving alcohol to a minor.

Collin D. Caffrey, 32, Des Moines, was issued a ticket recently after officers conducted an impromptu check of Benchwarmer’s, 705 S. Ankeny Blvd., and found Caffrey had allegedly served alcohol to a 20-year-old patron.

Police entered Benchwarmer’s to conduct a routine spot check at about 12:30 a.m. Aug. 22, said Capt. Joe Schaffer of the Ankeny Police Department. Caffrey was bartending and police saw two younger women at the bar holding alcoholic beverages. A check of their identification showed officers one of the women was 20 years old.

Caffrey’s citation was for $2,085, including fines and court costs. As of Sept. 1, there is no scheduled court date for Caffrey.

According to the website, a first offense of providing alcohol to a minor carries a fine of $1,500.  The offense is considered a simple misdemeanor.

Benchwarmer’s also could be subject to administrative sanctions, including an additional $500 fine and a 14-day suspension of its liquor license.