A Florida man is facing felony charges after a grocery store theft spree that investigators say was fueled by relationship drama and a whole lot of wasted protein.
According to iHeartRadio, which got the report from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, a 30-year-old Florida man was arrested after allegedly stealing nearly $4,000 worth of meat from two Publix locations in Palm Coast on January 5. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspect hitting one store, then another, within a tight 20-minute window.
Authorities say the first stop happened around 7:43 p.m. at a Publix in the Belle Terre Crossings shopping center, where the man allegedly walked out with about $1,575 worth of beef and lamb. Less than half an hour later, he allegedly struck again at a second Publix near Island Walk, this time making off with roughly $2,000 worth of pork, top sirloin, brisket, tenderloin, and a few personal care items for good measure.
Detectives connected the two thefts and identified the suspect, who was later taken into custody. During questioning, the Florida man reportedly explained what happened next.
Investigators say the suspect admitted he drove to his girlfriend’s home after the thefts, only to find her inside cooking with another man. According to authorities, he discarded most of the stolen meat rather than keeping or selling it.
The end result: thousands of dollars in food gone, two stores dealing with major losses, and a suspect headed to jail.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly didn’t miss the opportunity to comment, leaning into the situation with his trademark wordplay. “His relationship may have been past its prime, but stealing isn’t the way to cure what ails you,” Staly said in a statement. “If you steal from our stores, we will catch you and you will ‘meat’ the consequences.”
The Florida man was booked on felony retail theft charges and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. Authorities say he is being held on a $5,000 bond and an additional immigration-related detainer.