The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A man from the central east coast of Florida was arrested after reportedly keeping out of sight in the bathroom of a drugstore and helping himself to snacks after the business closed for the night.
According to reports, at around 9:45 PM on July 14, a 46-year-old man went into a Walgreens in New Smyrna Beach to use their bathroom. He was permitted to use the facilities, but the man reportedly stayed in the restroom much longer than anyone anticipated.
The store closes at 10:00 PM, and the employees reportedly did not realize the man was still in the bathroom when they left and locked up for the night. He reportedly stayed put for approximately five hours before he walked out of the lavatory. He started perusing the shelves and allegedly helped himself to some snacks while he wandered around the store. According to the authorities, he ate chips, Tostitos dip, and candy, and washed it down with Dr. Pepper.
The man’s presence in the store tripped the alarm system, and around 3:00 AM, the authorities were notified. When the police got to the business, they reported that they could see the man through the glass doors, and believed it looked like he was swiping a pack of cigarettes. They quickly detained him when they got into the building.
The suspect, who reportedly has prior petit theft convictions, was taken into custody. He allegedly resisted and spit on one of the officers when he was being placed in the police car. He was transported and booked into the Volusia County Jail without further incident. He is facing preliminary charges of burglary of an unoccupied structure, larceny – petit theft (2+ prior convictions), resisting an officer without violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer. He was held in lieu of a $10,500 bond, and jail records indicate that he has been released.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.