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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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.
Nov 12, 2026
OPERATION POP-TOP: Clerk arrested in Auburndale
Media Contact: Carrie E Horstman
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff's Office continued the agency's ongoing Operation Pop Top campaign on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, which resulted in the arrest of a sales clerk in Auburndale. The deputies were assisted by a member of the PCSO's Cadet 1000 a program for high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
During the effort, deputies visited six convenience stores in the Auburndale and Winter Haven areas to ensure they do not sell alcoholic beverages to anyone under 21 years of age, per state law. Five of the stores checked were in compliance.
A 17-year-old Cadet member was allowed to purchase alcohol at the Chevron gas station located at 549 East Bridgers Avenue in Auburndale.
The sales clerk there, 60-year old Orlandina Canales, was arrested and charged with Sale of Alcohol to a Person under 21, a misdemeanor.
"The students are never in any kind of danger as they assist deputies. The danger is to the juveniles who illegally purchase alcohol. There is good reason why state law prohibits that, and we conduct these visits to enforce the law, by making sure businesses are compliant." - Grady Judd, Sheriff