On Thursday, May 24, 2012, Polk County Sheriff’s School Resource deputies, along with the assistance of a PCSO Explorer (Explorers are high school student volunteers), conducted “Operation Pop Top” in an effort to combat the illegal sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors. The operation was conducted in the Mulberry area.
Eight stores were checked, and seven of them were found in compliance with Florida State Statutes.
The following clerk was arrested and charged with one count Sale of Alcohol to Person Under 21 Years of Age:
Lucero Pecina, DOB 11/3/1989, of 3 Imperial Drive in Mulberry. She works at the Prima's Supermarket located at 6985 SR 60 West in Mulberry.
The clerks at the following stores refused to sell alcohol to the minor:
Hess Mart, located at 4785 SR 60 West in Mulberry;
Sunoco, located at 4285 SR 60 West in Mulberry;
Bailey Food Mart, located at 2035 Baily Road in Mulberry;
VJS BP, located 905 West Canal Street in Mulberry;
RK's Chevron, located at 506 West Canal Street in Mulberry;
JMJ Food Mart, located at 4075 SR 60 West in Mulberry;
Shell gas station, located at 104 North Church Street in Mulberry