News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Jan 6, 2021

PCSO's "Operation Pop-Top": 13 out of 14 stores compliant in alcohol sales

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted another "Operation Pop-Top" on Monday, January 4, 2021, in which deputies ensure that stores within the county are not selling alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age. Out of 14 stores visited, 13 were compliant with state law.

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

During a visit to the Circle K store at 2444 Sand Mine Road in Davenport , a 17-year-old Explorer was able to purchase an alcoholic beverage. The clerk, 18-year-old Ayleen Marie Lima of Clermont, was arrested for selling alcohol to a minor.

The following 13 stores were found to be in compliance with Florida alcohol beverage laws:

Circle K 45489 US Hwy 27, Davenport
Circle K 101 Polo Park E. Blvd, Davenport
7-Eleven 8500 Champions Gate Blvd, Davenport
7-Eleven 3141 Ronald Reagan Pkwy, Davenport
7-Eleven 6205 Lake Wilson Rd, Davenport
EZ Foods 5945 US Hwy 17, Davenport
Davenport Mystik 304 US Hwy 17/92, Davenport
Citgo 404 US Hwy 17/92, Davenport
Sunoco 123 Bay Street, Davenport
Racetrac 38425 US Hwy 27, Davenport
7-Eleven 38409 US Hwy 27, Davenport
Pilot 35647 US Hwy 27 N, Haines City
Racetrac 32886 US Hwy 27 N, Haines City

“We conduct these operations to continually ensure that stores and their employees are abiding by state law by checking ID’s at all times, and not selling alcohol to minors. We congratulate the 13 stores who were compliant during our most recent operation on Monday.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff