119 Arrests Made Over Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend: Hillsborough County Sheriff

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 119 people were arrested for various crimes, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

A number of these arrests were the result of a patrol targeting drivers potentially under the influence.

Starting Nov. 26, the HCSO DUI Enforcement Squad launched Operation Drinksgiving with partners from the Tampa Police Department, the University of South Florida Police Department and the Temple Terrace Police Department.

The following are the results of this traffic enforcement initiative, HCSO said:

• Traffic stops: 865
• Traffic citations: 126
• DUI arrests: 31
• Other traffic-related arrests: 11

"Every stop represents a decision to prevent a tragedy," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "Our deputies didn’t just enforce the law; they protected lives. If you choose to drink and drive, you're risking someone's life. In Hillsborough County, we will stop you before an innocent family pays the price."

In addition to DUI enforcement, the sheriff’s office also increased patrol officers in retail areas, parking lots, and neighborhoods to deter thefts, burglaries, and other crimes.

“Specialized units, including Aviation and the Bicycle Response Team, strengthened these efforts by identifying suspicious activity and interrupting crime before it occurred,” HCSO said.

Arrests included a 15-year-old that the Aviation Unit spotted checking door handles in a Sun City Center neighborhood.

Deputies tracked the teen as he went into an unlocked vehicle, HCSO said. He was arrested and charged with burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and loitering or prowling.

Though the agency named the teen, it’s Patch policy not to name juvenile suspects unless they’re charged as an adult. It’s not known whether he was charged as a juvenile or an adult.

"Criminals count on holiday chaos, but forget we work holidays too," Chronister said. "When call volumes rise, we rise higher. Our teams are out in force, watching, responding, and acting the moment trouble surfaces."

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