POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A man attending a training school in Polk County found himself in handcuffs after stealing an instructor’s laptop during a lunch break, according to Sheriff Grady Judd.
The suspect, Austin Nellis, was attending a certification class at Safety Solutions and Supply. During the morning session, he allegedly decided to steal the instructor’s backpack, which contained an Apple laptop valued at approximately $2,200.
“He’s in class all morning long. Well, at lunchtime, he says to himself, ‘self, I think I’ll take the instructor’s backpack,'” Sheriff Judd stated. “So he picks it up and he walks out of class.”
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The suspect then called his mother, falsely claiming the class was over, and asked for a ride home. However, law enforcement arrived before his mother could pick him up.
“He lied to his mama. Class wasn’t over. Well, I guess it was for him because we arrived and arrested him while he’s waiting on his mama to take him back home,” Sheriff Judd explained.
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The man was arrested and taken into custody. Sheriff Judd expressed disbelief at the suspect’s actions, particularly considering the instructor was attempting to help him gain certification.
“When the instructors, they’re trying to certify and help the man, what are you thinking? I’m thinking he needs a good attorney,” Sheriff Judd concluded.
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