A local man with a penchant for free merchandise and apparently a fondness for roomy trousers found himself in hot water with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office yesterday.
38-year-old Kevin Lee Bragg, Jr. was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly embarking on a two-store shoplifting spree.
According to reports, Bragg’s alleged crime spree began at the Pilot Travel Center on SR 60 near Bartow, where he reportedly made off with $135.60 worth of goods.
Read: Florida Man Arrested After Tense Standoff And Fire: U.S Marshals
Not content with his initial haul, Bragg then allegedly strolled across the street to the Circle K, where he reportedly utilized his baggy pants as a makeshift shopping bag, stuffing them with an additional $65 worth of stolen merchandise.
Unfortunately for Bragg, his alleged “pants-pocket plunder” was short-lived. Deputies responding to the initial theft report at Pilot quickly located Bragg at the Circle K, still in possession of the stolen items.
A quick background check revealed that Bragg was no stranger to law enforcement, with three prior theft convictions and an active warrant for Failure to Appear for Weekend Work Release.
Read: Money Order Mastermind In Georgia Fails To “Cash Out” On Freedom
Bragg was arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail on two counts of Felony Retail Theft. He is currently awaiting his next court appearance, presumably in pants with significantly less storage capacity.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.