A 19-year-old Lakeland man faces a theft charge after allegedly leaving a local grocery shop with an expensive bottle of tequila concealed in a tote bag.
Antonio McKeel Simpson was arrested after the Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated a reported incident at the Publix supermarket at 7340 Kathleen Road.
According to sheriff’s reports, the theft occurred around 6:35 p.m. on Thursday, August 24. Investigators say Simpson entered the store, went right to the liquor aisle, and stole a bottle of Don Julio tequila worth $109.13.
According to deputies, Simpson placed the bottle in a brown tote-style bag he was carrying, skirted the registers, and fled the store without payment. According to surveillance footage and witness testimony, he then drove away in a white Cadillac.
A PCSO detective assigned to the investigation later identified Simpson as the culprit.
During questioning by authorities, Simpson admitted to taking the alcohol, indicating that he couldn’t afford the bottle of Don Julio and opted to bag it and go.
Deputies detained Simpson without incident and charged him with first-time petty retail theft. He was booked in the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center.
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