On November 19, 2018, PCSO conducted “Operation Pop Top,” an ongoing effort to enforce laws related to the sale of alcohol to minors. This involves sending high school aged PCSO Explorers, under the age of 21, into stores to see if they can buy alcohol.

The operation yielded three arrests in Haines City and Winter Haven.

Deputies arrested Terrah Carter, 26, for selling alcohol to a minor at the 7-11 store at 38409 Highway 27 in Haines City.

Christopher Berry, 19, was also taken into custody for selling alcohol to a minor at the Mobil at 1200 3rd Street Northwest in Winter Haven. 

Lastly, deputies took Abdallah Shaban, 61, into custody for selling alcohol to a minor at the Sunoco at 1202 6th Street Northwest in Winter Haven.

All three store clerks were transported to the Polk County Jail without incident.  

“If you’re a store clerk, you will be held accountable for selling alcohol to those under 21 years old. It’s your responsibility to check ID’s at all times. The stores found in compliance did a great job following protocol.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The following stores were found to be in compliance with the Florida beverage laws:

1. Citgo: 128 Ave T NE, Winter Haven, FL
2. Chevron: 2100 1st   N , Winter Haven, FL
3. Chevron: 5900 Old Lucerne Park Rd, Winter Haven, FL
4. RaceTrac: 32886 US-27, Haines City, FL
5. Pilot: 35647 US-27 North, Haines City, FL
6. Sunoco: 35855 US-27, Haines City, FL
7. RaceTrac: 38425 US-27, Davenport, FL
8. Citgo: 2998 US-27 17-92 SW, Davenport, FL
9. Citgo: 530 S Lake Shore Way, Lake Alfred, FL
10. Twin Brothers: 3250 Lake Alfred Rd, Winter Haven, FL
11. Wawa: 1490 3rd St. SW, Winter Haven, FL