MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – Two Broward County men were arrested on suspicion of shoplifting nearly $3,000 worth of merchandise from a Burlington store in Martin County, authorities said.
Frankie Estarella Rodriguez, 28, and Lazaro Duanis Valdez, 26, were stopped by Martin County Sheriff’s Office deputies before leaving the county. Their vehicle was loaded with items with unpaid tags, authorities said.
The suspects reportedly misunderstood the meaning of “workshop” and began what authorities are calling a “Christmas burglary”, stuffing stolen goods into bags. Officers stopped the vehicle and prevented the two men from fleeing.
“Martin County has zero tolerance for retail theft of any kind,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Stolen items will be returned to the store. Both men were charged with retail theft and remain in custody.
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