News and Investigations

The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted another "Operation Pop-Top" on Thursday, August 22, 2019, in which deputies ensure that stores within the county do not sell alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age.

Of the nine stores visited, eight of them were compliant.

39-year-old Sharee Futch of Winter Haven, a clerk at the 7-Eleven store at 1099 1st Street South in Winter Haven, was arrested after she sold an alcoholic beverage (Busch Light) to a customer under 21-years-old.

Futch was also arrested in March of this year during an Operation Pop-Top at the same store.

The operations utilizes members of the PCSO Explorers, a program for students who are interested in a career in law enforcement. The Explorers, under the guidance of deputies, will attempt to purchase alcohol at various stores.

The following eight stores were found to be in compliance with Florida alcohol beverage laws:
 
-      Wawa, 334 Havendale Blvd., Auburndale
-      Sunoco, 421 Havendale Blvd., Auburndale
-      Chevron, 2885 Havendale Blvd., Auburndale
-      RaceTrac, 810 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven
-      Sunoco, 1202 6th St. NW, Winter Haven
-      Wawa, 1490 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven
-      RaceTrac, 11023 US Hwy 17 S, Winter Haven
-      Circle K, 1108 Spirit Lake Rd., Winter Haven

“We are going to hold store employees accountable for selling alcohol to those under 21 years old. It’s their responsibility to check ID’s at all times. The stores and employees found in compliance did a great job following the law. We congratulate them.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff