POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A quick trip to the Mulberry Walmart ended in handcuffs for an 18-year-old Lakeland man on Sunday evening. Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Carter Gibson after store security spotted him allegedly hiding merchandise under his clothes.
The incident began when loss prevention officers at the retail chain at 6745 Church Avenue North noticed Gibson because he was reportedly “fooling around” inside the store.
Surveillance then shifted from watching his antics to watching his pockets. According to reports, security personnel observed Gibson concealing several items on his person as he moved through the aisles.
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Gibson was intercepted by security just as he attempted to exit the building. When deputies arrived on the scene, they recovered three flashlights and a pair of sunglasses that had not been paid for. The total value of the recovered goods was tallied at $40.60.
Following the encounter, Gibson was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. He was officially booked on a single charge of retail petit theft.
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