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 5, 2023

Two Winter Haven convenience store sales clerks arrested for selling alcohol to minors

Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO

Two Winter Haven convenience store sales clerks were arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, May 5, 2023, for selling alcohol to minors during PCSO's ongoing "Operation Pop Top" campaign, in which deputies visit convenience stores to ensure they are not selling alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21.

50-year old Dalimchad Sookdeo, a clerk at the Inwood Discount Beverage store located at 3317 Avenue G NW, was charged with selling alcohol to a minor (a misdemeanor). He was caught selling a 25-ounce Natural Light beer to a 17-year old who is a member of the PCSO's Explorers, a program for high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.

Also arrested was 37-year-old SM Shakil, a clerk at The Best store located located at 2415 Avenue G NW. He was charged with selling alcohol to a minor (a misdemeanor) when he was caught selling a 16-ounce Bush Light beer to a 17-year old who is a member of the PCSO's Explorers.

"Deputies visited a total of four stores Thursday in the Winter Haven area, and two of them were in compliance with state alcohol sales laws. Operation Pop Top is a necessary campaign that we will continue in an effort to protect the children of Polk County." - Grady Judd, Sheriff