Posted on 10/07/2019 2:31:00 PM PDT by Gamecock
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - A North Fort Myers woman climbed into the ceiling of a Big Lots store in Port Charlotte Thursday night to avoid a shoplifting arrest.
Kristina Perkins, 37, was arrested after deputies searched the ceiling along with Charlotte County Fire Department and Facilities.
The manager told deputies that Perkins went into the women's restroom with a shopping cart full of merchandise. The merchandise included candy, makeup and toys, totaling $58.67.
Charlotte County deputies said the manger tried to enter the restroom to check on Perkins, but several trash cans were positioned to barricade the door.
She did not leave the restroom, and the manager got in and noticed tiles were missing from the ceiling, with Perkins nowhere to be found.
When deputies responded, they removed tiles and found Perkins there, but each time they moved tiles, she moved to other spots in the ceiling.
Charlotte County Fire & EMS responded to assist deputies. Big Lots was evacuated because of the danger of Perkins falling through the ceiling.
During the search that took several hours, a deputy found one of Perkin's Sketchers shoes, a black bag, a belt and purse, which had three syringes and a spoon with white residue that tested positive for Morphine.
Perkins was arrested after climbing out of the ceiling early Friday morning. She told the arresting deputy, "I ran because I was scared!"
The Big Lots store had significant damage to their ceiling, ductwork and drywall, which will likely cost $5,000 to repair. The store is open today, with repairs costing more than $1,000 in lost business.
Perkins was charged with felony criminal mischief, petit theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a merchant, and resisting law enforcement without violence.
Two relevant words here:
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Classic Florida story.
Good that they still did arrest her at the end. What an idiot, in addition to being a thief.
She’s only 37? And what is there worth stealing in a Big Lots store? Stale Christmas cookies and 2 year old Powerade?
“[FLA] Woman arrested after climbing in Big Lots roof to avoid shoplifting arrest”
I’m not a woman and i don’t live in Florida, but that’s what I always do to avoid being arrested for shoplifting, because i know that if i enter a little windowless room by its only door and then apparently disappear by climbing into the false ceiling and hiding, i know that no one will be able to figure that out ...
That’s a ceiling, not a roof.
______________
"One man's ceiling is another man's floor" --- Paul Simon
The criminals here in Florida are a bit less smart than the average bear.
Laz would...
Florida Woman is starting to get as much press as Florida Man!
Not guilty.
She was just looking to see if they stored anything up high.
I think I’d give her probation and an ankle bracelet.
She was stealing $59 worth of toys and makeup.
She was obviously thinking about her kid(s) and doesn’t have any money.
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