A loss-prevention officer at a big-box store in DeLand noticed a fellow (who turned out to be 32) pushing a shopping cart containing a large quantity of detergent and “acting in a suspicious manner.”
The officer said the man “walk[ed] down random aisles” and took a big trash bin off a store shelf. He “then started placing several grocery into the trash bin,” went through a self-checkout lane, and paid for the bin but none of its contents. items and the detergent
Once the Not-So-Clever Shoplifter left the store, the loss-prevention officer stopped him and had him wait in a back office until DeLand police arrived.
Turns out Not-So-Clever had stolen 26 items, the total value of which was $296.61.
The police report doesn’t say if the guy was allowed to take his paid-for trash bin with him to jail.
— By Keith Allen, based on local police-agency reports. If you have information about a crime, call Crime Stoppers, 1-888-277-TIPS. You could be eligible for a reward.
One thing DeLand has plenty of – “not so clever” types.