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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 Meghan Petty. 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 28, 2025
Haines City convenience store clerk arrested for selling alcohol to a juvenile
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
A convenience store sales clerk in Haines City was arrested Monday, January 27, 2025, after she sold an alcoholic beverage to a 17-year old customer.
The 17-year old was actually a student who was assisting deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office during their Operation Pop Top campaign.
"My deputies frequently visit stores across the county, ensuring that the business and employees are in compliance with state laws for alcohol sales. The deputies are aided by juveniles who are a part of the PCSO's Cadet program for school students. We've been doing this for years, and we will continue to do it in order to keep children safe." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
On Monday, the deputies visited six stores in the Haines City area, and five of them passed the test.
The student was successfully able to purchase an alcoholic beverage at the Haines City Food Mart at 95 East Hinson Avenue, and the sales clerk who sold it was subsequently arrested.
The clerk, 43-year old Shyam Sunder, was taken to the Polk County Jail and charged with selling an alcoholic beverage to a person under 21 years of age (M1).