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.

May 21, 2021

Operation Pop Top yields one arrest for illegal alcohol sale

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

Nine convenience stores were visited by deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, May 20, 2021; it was part of the ongoing Operation Pop Top initiative to make sure alcohol is not being sold to anyone under 21-years of age, in accordance with state law.

The deputies were assisted by a 17-year-old PCSO Explorer who visited the various stores in the Davenport area. Explorers are high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

Of the nine stores visited, only one was non-compliant with the law.

25-year-old Christopher Beharie of Haines City was arrested for selling an alcoholic beverage to the Explorer. Beharie is employed by the 7-Eleven store at 43332 US 27 in Davenport. The charge is a misdemeanor.

The other eight stores that were visited were:
RaceTrac 45119 US 27 Davenport
Circle K 45489 US 27 Davenport
Love’s 45000 US 27 Davenport
WaWa 43582 US 27 Davenport
7-Eleven 44249 US 27 Davenport
7-Eleven 38409 US 27 Davenport
RaceTrac 43250 US 27 Davenport
RaceTrac 38425 US 27 Davenport