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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 Meghan Petty. 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.
Sep 23, 2021
Operation Pop Top: Two store clerks arrested for illegal alcohol sales
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff's Office conducted a series of alcohol sales checks in the Davenport area Wednesday, September 22nd, which resulted in the arrest of two store clerks.
The checks are an ongoing part of Operation Pop Top. Deputies were assisted by a 19-year old PCSO Explorer who entered the various stores and attempted to purchase alcohol. The Explorer program is for high school students who are interested in a career in law enforcement.
Seven stores were checked Wednesday, and the Explorer was able to successfully purchase alcohol at two of them. This is in violation of the state law that prohibits sales to persons under the age of 21.
"Stores and their employees have to do a better job with making sure that the alcohol they are selling is only to those over the age of 21. It's the state law, and it's no secret that we do these checks, and we'll keep doing them." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
Arrested were:
Tyler Staggs, 20, employed by the 7-Eleven store at 6023 Hwy 17/92 North, Davenport.
Teresa Hartloff, 41, employed by RaceTrac at 45119 US 27, Davenport.
The other five Davenport stores which were visited, but found to be compliant were:
EZ Foods - 5945 Hwy 17/92 North
7-Eleven - 6205 Lake Wilson Road
7-Eleven - 3141 Ronald Reagan Parkway
7-Eleven - 8500 Championsgate Blvd
Circle K - 45489 US 27