A villager ruined over $10,000 worth of Spam and Vienna sausages by urinating on pallets of the products at Sam’s Club.
Patrick Francis Mitchell, 70, of the Village of Piedmont, was arrested this week at his house at 8279 SE 177th Winterthur Loop by sheriff’s officers from Marion County on Lake County warrants for criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
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A woman was shopping at Sam’s Club in Lady Lake on the morning of May 30 when she noticed Mitchell “urinating in aisle 18,” according to an affidavit of probable cause from the Lady Lake Police Department. The woman used her cell phone to photograph Mitchell and showed it to store employees.
According to the affidavit, Sam’s Club employees reviewed surveillance footage that clearly showed Mitchell “walked up to two pallets, facing the shelf, placed both hands in front of him below the belt line, and stood there for several seconds,” noting that it was “behavior consistent with urination.”
Managers examined the damage to 188 18-count Vienna sausages and 345 8-count Spam Classics. They concluded that because the products had been contaminated with bodily fluid, they ought to be discarded. The merchandise’s total value was $10,584.
Mitchell entered the store with his Sam’s Club membership card. A police detective used Mitchell’s Sam’s Club ID to compare it with store security footage, which led to Mitchell’s photograph on his Florida driver’s license. Police issued arrest warrants for Mitchell.
He remains free on a $3,000 bond.
