A Florida police officer and his girlfriend were arrested after they allegedly stole several items from Walmart over the weekend.
David Griffin, an officer with the Haines City Police Department, and Shelbi DuBose, 28, are accused of sneaking items into bags while they were at the self-service checkout on Saturday in Polk County, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
The duo were scanning some items, but not others while in the checkout lane, Judd said. A Walmart employee saw them, but allowed them to re-scan the items, Judd said.
But after the employee walked away, the two allegedly continued their ruse.
Shelbi DuBose was arrested in Polk County, Florida, after she allegedly stole several items from Walmart. She and her boyfriend Haines City Police Officer David Griffin did not scan certain items while in the self-service checkout lane, deputies say. Both are facing petit theft charges. Griffin resigned after his arrest. (Polk County Jail)
“Together they didn’t have but five brain cells. I guess they said ‘Hey I guess we’ll go ahead and skip scan some more,”” Judd quipped.
The two walked out of the store and were arrested on petit theft charges. In total, they allegedly failed to pay for about $200 out of the $340 worth of merchandise, an arrest affidavit said.
DuBose was wearing a “Dear Santa, I can explain” T-shirt during the incident and arrest.
“Well try it out,” Judd declared. What are you doing? Are you saying ‘Dear Santa, I need a Walmart gift card for Christmas because I got arrested stealing?’ ‘Dear Santa, can you send bond money to get me and David out of jail? Dear Santa, if you just bring me some toys I won’t have to steal anymore.’ She can’t explain it, but we can. They’re locked up in the county jail.”
Griffin, 48, and DuBose were taken to the Polk County Jail where they have since bonded out. Walmart loss prevention associates looked back at prior transactions and Griffin and DuBose did not pay for several items during four trips to Walmart since Oct. 15, the affidavit said. It’s not clear if they will face charges in those cases.
Haines City Police Officer David Griffin was arrested in Polk County, Florida, after he allegedly stole several items from Walmart. He and his girlfriend Shelbi DuBose did not scan certain items while in the self-service checkout lane, deputies say. Both are facing petit theft charges. Griffin resigned after his arrest. (Polk County Jail)
Griffin resigned from the Haines City Police Department after his arrest. He was hired in 2019.
“I want to assure the public that we hold our officers to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct,” Haines City police Chief Greg Goreck said in a statement to Law&Crime. “Let it be known, had Officer Griffin not resigned, his removal from duty would have been swift and decisive.”
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