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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.
Jul 21, 2021
Operation Pop Top: Frostproof store clerk arrested for illegal alcohol sale
Media Contact: Carrie Horstman, Administrator
During an Operation Pop Top initiative to ensure that alcohol is not being sold to anyone under 21 years of age, PCSO deputies (assisted by a high school student) checked 17 stores in the county, and found all but one in compliance.
"This is an ongoing effort to make sure that stores and their employees aren't violating state law by selling alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age. Great job by the deputies, and a great job to all of the clerks and stores who were compliant with the law." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
The deputies were assisted by a 19-year-old PCSO Explorer who visited the various stores in Lake Wales, Frostproof, Fort Meade, and Bartow. Explorers are high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
19-year-old Carissa Yourn of Frostproof was arrested for selling alcohol to a minor, which is a misdemeanor. She works at the Little Dixie store at 22 CR 630 West in Frostproof.
The 16 other stores that were checked were:
Lily Citgo, 20500 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales;
Central Citgo, 19509 US Hwy 27, Lakes Wales;
Sunoco, 19300 US Hwy 27, Lakes Wales;
Chevron, 16311 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales;
Circle K, 14581 US Hwy 27, Lake Wales;
Town Star, 7030 US Hwy 27, Frostproof;
Rahima-Hye Foods, 5320 US Hwy 27, Frostproof;
Sunray Sunoco, 5321 US Hwy 27, Frostproof;
JBJ Food Store, 825 Charleston Ave, Fort Meade;
Sunoco, 3 East Broadway, Fort Meade;
Circle K, 116 North Charleston Ave, Fort Meade;
Macs, 822 North Charles Ave, Fort Meade;
Homeland Food Store; 6005 US Hwy 17 S, Homeland;
Plaza Food and Fuel, 1995 US Hwy 17 S, Bartow;
Citgo, 1405 US Hwy 17 S, Bartow;
BP Food Store, 724 East Broadway, Fort Meade.