News and Investigations

The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted another "Operation Pop-Top" on Monday, November 4, 2019, in which deputies ensure that stores within the county do not sell alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age.

Of the eight stores visited, seven of them were compliant.

24-year-old Hanna Bane, a cashier at the RaceTrac store at 2227 Hwy 92 East in Auburndale, was arrested after she sold an alcoholic beverage (Budweiser 12-oz) to a PCSO Explorer who is under 21-years-old.

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.

The following seven stores were found to be in compliance with Florida alcohol beverage laws:
 
- CITGO                     4646 N. Combee Road, Lakeland
- M and J Food Store 1416 N. Combee Road, Lakeland
- CITGO                     1405 N. Combee Road, Lakeland
- Fast Trax Inc.           1000 N. Combee Road, Lakeland
- 7-Eleven                   2707 Hwy 92 East, Lakeland
- Circle K                    4950 Hwy 92 East, Lakeland
- Circle K                    1000 Hwy 92 East, Auburndale

“We are going to hold store employees accountable for selling alcohol to those under 21 years old. It’s their responsibility to check ID’s at all times. The stores and employees found in compliance did a great job following the law. We congratulate them.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff