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).