HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A man listed in arrest and court documents as John Publix was arrested after stealing from a Publix in Hollywood and later earned a felony for battering a law enforcement officer, police said.
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The 26-year-old Publix donned a “black and pink dress” along with a black wrap around his face and a mask when he shoplifted from the 94-year-old chain’s 1740 Polk St. location just after noon Tuesday, a police report states.
Police said Publix grabbed a green Publix bag and filled it with “Sweetest Batch blue bananas, Icelandic Glacial (water), Coke Zero, frappuccino vanilla (coffee) and fried breaded shrimp,” worth $25.27, and walked out of the store.
According to the arrest report, officers later caught up to Publix, who by then had ditched the dress and mask, in the 1900 block of Van Buren Street.
“The arrestee was detained wearing only black tight pants, no shirt and gray socks,” Hollywood police Officer Jerry Sommer wrote. “The arrestee had a black mask and black gloves in his crotch area.”
Sommer wrote that Publix “slipped my hand several times” as he tried to move Publix’s handcuffs up front while at the jail in Fort Lauderdale.
Police said Publix identified himself as “John Doe.” “Doe” was later crossed off the arrest report and replaced with “Publix.” He’s listed as John Publix in Broward court and jail records.
It’s not clear whether John Publix is the suspect’s actual name or another placeholder. Local 10 News has contacted the Hollywood Police Department seeking clarification.
Publix remained in jail on a $3,000 bond on charges of petit theft, resisting without violence and battery on a law enforcement officer as of Friday.