POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 58-year-old man from Winter Haven, Charles Ferguson, was arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, for multiple retail thefts at the Spirit Lake Publix.
Deputies were alerted to the thefts on September 23rd. During the most recent incident, Ferguson was stopped by a store employee as he tried to leave with 16 bottles of Dawn soap. He fled in a white Kia Soul.
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The employee recognized Ferguson as a frequent customer and was able to provide his name to deputies.
Ferguson was located at his residence and arrested. He confessed to five previous thefts, stealing a total of $800 worth of Tide Pods and Dawn soap, which he then resold.
Ferguson has a history of retail theft and was out on bond for a similar felony charge from August 8th.
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He now faces charges of grand theft, scheming to defraud, and dealing in stolen property.
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