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.

Apr 7, 2021

Winter Haven Store clerk arrested for illegal alcohol sales during "Operation Pop Top"

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a convenience store clerk on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, after he illegally sold alcohol to a minor, during an undercover "Operation Pop Top" investigation.

"These operations are carried out frequently at different locations throughout the county, to ensure that the stores and employees are compliant with state laws, by not selling alcohol to anyone under the age of 21. Kudos to those who did the right thing." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The 17-year-old participant is a member of the PCSO Explorers program which consists of students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

The Explorer visited ten stores in the Winter Haven area, and he was successful in purchasing an alcoholic beverage at one of the stores.

Deputies arrested 23-year-old Islam Saiful at the Best by Rasel store at 2415 Avenue G NW in Winter Haven.

The nine other stores which were visited and were compliant were:
*Bill’s Market, 4670 Hwy 17 N., Winter Haven
*Quik Mart, 100 E. Central Avenue, Winter Haven
*Mobil, 1200 Third St SW, Winter Haven
*Citgo Snack Shop, 3317 Avenue G NW, Winter Haven
*7-Eleven, 4000 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven
*Superway Food Mart, 2590 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven
*ARKH, 2793 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven
*Sunoco, 1502 Recker Hwy, Winter Haven
*Marathon, 1660 Lake Shipp Drive, Winter Haven