Florida police arrest man stealing goods to sell to bail out wife

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Police say they arrested a 48-year-old man who stole goods to sell so he could bail out his wife, who was being held on a shoplifting charge. 

A loss prevention officer at a Walmart in Winter Haven caught Brian Crume stuffing three packs of electronic wire down the front of his pants around 4 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.

Crume attempted to leave the store without paying for the $87.91 worth of merchandise but the loss prevention officer stopped him and detained him until a police officer arrived, police said. 

The arresting officer asked Crume why he took the items without paying and that's when he's alleged to have told the officer that he was planning to sell the merchandise on the street so he could use the money to get his wife out of jail. 

She had been arrested on a shoplifting charge earlier that same day in Lake Wales.

Records show Crume was charged with petite theft. He's currently in custody at the Polk County Jail.