A police officer from Haines City, Florida, was arrested over the weekend after he and a woman were caught shoplifting from Walmart. David Griffin, a 48-year-old officer, and 28-year-old Shelbi Dubose were arrested after failing to scan items before bagging them. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident at a Walmart on Church Avenue North.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that Griffin, who had been employed as a police officer since 2019, had been placing items in bags without scanning them. Although a store employee initially addressed the issue and helped correct it, Griffin and Dubose continued to bag unscanned items. The duo was stopped by the store’s security team when they attempted to leave.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Griffin had committed four similar thefts on different occasions, with Dubose participating in three of them. Walmart personnel reviewed security video footage and alleged that Griffin and Dubose had paid for $207.72 worth of merchandise while failing to scan $343.22 worth of items.
Griffin has since resigned from the Haines City Police Department, and Dubose was also arrested. Both face charges of retail petit theft, with Griffin being charged with five counts and Dubose with four.
The Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd, expressed disappointment in the actions of someone in law enforcement and emphasized the importance of holding Griffin accountable. Haines City Police Department Chief Greg Goreck echoed this sentiment, stating that such behavior is not representative of the department’s values and that they have zero tolerance for such actions.
The incident has raised concerns about the integrity and ethical conduct of police officers. Authorities have emphasized the need for accountability and transparency to maintain public trust.
In conclusion, a Florida police officer and a woman were arrested for shoplifting from Walmart after failing to scan items before bagging them. The officer’s resignation and the ongoing investigation highlight the importance of upholding integrity and ethical conduct within law enforcement.
