Two Winter Haven convenience store sales clerks were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, May 5, 2023, for selling alcohol to minors during PCSO's ongoing "Operation Pop Top" campaign, in which deputies visit convenience stores to ensure they are not selling alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21.

50-year old Dalimchad Sookdeo, a clerk at the Inwood Discount Beverage store located at 3317 Avenue G NW, was charged with selling alcohol to a minor (a misdemeanor). He was caught selling a 25-ounce Natural Light beer to a 17-year old who is a member of the PCSO's Explorers, a program for high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

Also arrested was 37-year-old SM Shakil, a clerk at The Best store located located at 2415 Avenue G NW. He was charged with selling alcohol to a minor (a misdemeanor) when he was caught selling a 16-ounce Bush Light beer to a 17-year old who is a member of the PCSO's Explorers.

"Deputies visited a total of four stores Thursday in the Winter Haven area, and two of them were in compliance with state alcohol sales laws. Operation Pop Top is a necessary campaign that we will continue in an effort to protect the children of Polk County." - Grady Judd, Sheriff