Polk County Sheriff Hunts For Serial Shoplifter At Lakeland Publix

Suspect allegedly stole from the same store 50 times over 7 months

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Polk County deputies are searching for a person of interest linked to a staggering number of thefts at a single Publix location in Lakeland, Florida. The suspect is accused of stealing merchandise on 50 separate occasions from the store located at 4747 South Florida Avenue between April and November 2025, resulting in the loss of approximately 278 individual items.

Why it matters

Repeat offenders who target the same businesses can have a significant financial impact on local retailers and raise concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in deterring such behavior.

The details

Detectives say the suspect consistently returned to the same Publix store to bypass the checkout and steal various items. While the specific merchandise may have varied, the individual's method of operation remained consistent throughout the 7-month period.

  • The thefts began on April 1, 2025.
  • The thefts continued through November 5, 2025.

The players

Polk County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency investigating the series of thefts at the Lakeland Publix store.

Detective Blackman

The lead investigator on the case who can be contacted directly for information.

Heartland Crime Stoppers

The organization offering a potential cash reward for tips that lead to an arrest in the case.

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What they’re saying

“We must work to identify and apprehend this serial shoplifter to protect local businesses and the community.”

— Detective Blackman, Lead Investigator

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the suspect to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges retailers face in deterring repeat offenders and the need for effective law enforcement strategies and judicial policies to address serial shoplifting behavior that can have significant financial and community impacts.