Man, 2 women stole palmetto berries from state forest, deputies say

Cops find 2 30 gallon trash cans filled with palmetto berries

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Three people were arrested on Monday after deputies say they cut palmetto berries from palm fronds in a state forest in Seminole County.

Deputies responded to the area of Snow Hill Road and Winding River Lane on a report of a theft on state property.

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Deputies said they saw Travis Woodring and Deloris Giddens cutting palmetto berries from palm fronds.

The property was posted with signs indicating that it was a state forest, deputies said.

Woodring told deputies that the knew he was on state property, but did not know that he couldn't take palmetto berries, authorities said.

Woodring and Giddens had a 30-gallon trash can full of berries, deputies said.

A friend of Woodring and Giddens, Kayla Rapp, was also found with a trash can full of palmetto berries, authorities said.

Woodring, Giddens and Rapp were arrested and charged with cutting or destroying habitat without permission.

Giddens and Rapp were released with a notice to appear. Woodring also had a pending warrant and was arrested.