Auto shop by day, bar by night: 3 busted for running illegal club in Orange County, deputies say

2 women, man arrested at shop on Lancaster Road

Sonia Vera (left), John Cruz (middle) and Maiqerli Guerrero (right) (Orange County Sheriff's Office)

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Two women and a man were arrested Saturday night in connection with an illegal bar at a mechanic shop, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Sonia Vera, Maiqerli Guerrero and John Cruz were taken into custody on charges of selling alcohol after hours.

Recommended Videos



According to an arrest affidavit, undercover deputies went to the auto shop at 1011 W. Lancaster Drive after learning the place was being used as an after-hours club.

The deputies paid a cover charge and bought alcohol at the bar, the affidavit said.

After they left, they returned to execute a search warrant and three people working the bar were arrested, deputies said.

The sheriff’s office said Vera and Guerrero were working as bartenders and Cruz was collecting cover charges at the door “as if in a management position.”


Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:


About the Author

Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. She is the author of the Central Florida Happenings newsletter that goes out every Thursday.

Recommended Videos