The Walmart in Lakeland, Florida was the beginning of what would become a low-speed chase as a Florida Man on a stolen Walmart scooter tried to elude deputies. Unfortunately for him, after a near-mile-long chase, the speed of the electric shopping scooter was no match for the Polk County Deputies.
Just after noon last Wednesday, the Florida Man identified in the report as “Troy” shoplifted several items of jewelry and hand-held game devices from Walmart. He also took one of Walmart’s electric scooters to use as his getaway car.
Troy hit speeds of about 2mph on the stolen Walmart scooter before someone called the police to report a “suspicious person” driving an electric shopping cart along U.S. 98 North in Lakeland. Deputies caught up to him near the Dunkin Donuts on US 98.
2 mph was not exactly a high-speed chase, and secondly, if you’re trying to evade authorities, you really need to do a better job of mapping your getaway. i.e. don’t drive towards a donut place.
Deputies stopped Troy and found him to have the stolen merchandise, and of course, the electric getaway cart.
Troy was arrested and deputies brought him to the Polk County Jail where he was charged with Grand Theft, Felony Petit Theft (due to prior theft convictions), and Unlawful Possession of a Shopping Cart (that’s a thing?). The Sheriff’s Department claims they decided not to charge him with Fleeing To Elude, after all, he was only going 2 miles an hour in the stolen Walmart scooter and they were able to apprehend him near a Dunkin Donuts. They were likely on their way or were already at Dunkin anyways. Right?
The grand theft charge likely stemmed from the electric shopping cart, which according to authorities, is valued at $1,300.