Man steals from tip jar from Sanford business, dances before leaving

Anyone with information is urged to call Sanford police at 407-688-5070

SANFORD, Fla. – A Sanford business was targeted by a tip thief according to police.

The Sanford Police Department on Friday released surveillance video from inside The West End Trading Company from Sunday evening, showing a man stealing tips.

The man, wearing a white shirt and black shorts, is seen sitting at the bar. Moments later, the man reached for the tip jar and grabs the cash. The man then stands up, and appears to dance before leaving the buildings.

The video shows the suspect taking the money in front of a packed bar, but no one reported seeing anything at the time.

"What a horrible thing to do, to such a hometown family environment here," said bar regular Nicole Lewis. "It is an everyone who knows everybody type of atmosphere and, so there is a level of trust."

Sanford police estimate that the suspect got away with between $450-$600 dollars.

Employee Brandon Black said that's money his coworkers rely on.

"I'm a student, I work. So, those little dollars help. They add up. Someone had to take that from us is kind of like, wow man. It kind of shows your character," said Black.

Employees at the bar said they believe the suspect as visited their establishment several times during the past year.

Anyone with information about the suspect's identity is asked to call Sanford police at 407-688-5070.


About the Author:

Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.