Crime & Safety
Homeless Man Takes $86 Worth of Steak Without Paying
Over the weekend, a Tarpon Springs transient was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of retail theft.
A little after 8 p.m. on Saturday, Tarpon Springs PD arrested David Ashcraft, 42, after he stole $86.45 worth of steak from Sweetbay Supermarket, located at 1711 S. Pinellas Ave.
According to an arrest affidavit, the loss prevention officer at the grocery store watched Ashcraft place the steak under his shirt before exiting the store. He did not pay before leaving with the steak.
Police say Ashcraft stuffed the steak into a black bag after leaving the store.
When confronted by officers, the report stated that Ashcraft "spontaneously uttered that he just wanted to be trespassed." Ashcraft told officials it was the first time he stole.
The Sweetbay loss prevention officer positively identified Ashcraft as the man seen taking steaks from the store.
Although police say they aren't sure if Ashcraft was using drugs at the time of the incident, the affidavit confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol.
After serving time, Ashcraft was released from the Pinellas County Jail.
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