We've all shopped at Costco and assumed a safe and carefree shopping environment. Who would think something like this could happen? On February 8th, 2023, the Clearwater Police Department was called to the scene at Costco for reports of a potential theft. Watch as this man's Costco journey comes to a surprising end. >> Are you here to talk to the lady? >> I have not >> lost the license right there. >> Uh who's lost the >> Please. Okay. >> Hey, good, good. He's inside right now. >> Okay, perfect. Uh who who's inside uh >> The the victim. >> Okay, perfect. >> All I have is I mean, it's it's clear as clear as day on video. So, I burned the video just in case. Printed out his information with his phone number, his address, but it's all out of Connecticut. >> Out of Connecticut, okay. And then, so it it took place and then he just left the store. Were you able to see if he got into a vehicle? >> The direction he headed, though. >> I see. >> I was free to set it down for not even 30 seconds or so. >> Okay. >> Where's the victim? >> Victim's in here. >> He's the uh lady on the phone right there in the black. >> Okay. >> Did she see the money being taken? >> Did I Did I say did she or Do Do you see it on the video? >> Yeah. >> The money being taken? >> Yeah. Well, not the money, the whole wallet. >> The whole wallet being taken? Okay. >> So, she just took the whole wallet? Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> He took the payment out of his wallet. The money. >> Okay, sorry. >> Okay. I may have missed the payment. >> I'll go see the see the video. I just want to let her know that we're going to Oh, sorry. Okay, okay. Oh, perfect. Okay. Hi, ma'am. Um can you just tell me exactly what happened to you? >> Uh what happened? I was here and I I bought this. >> Mhm. >> And then I went to the liquor store cuz I want to get something for the >> Yeah. >> And in the meantime when I went to the liquor store >> Mhm. >> so was a guy buy something. >> Yeah. >> And and then I put my card and I want to buy the same thing he had. He got a It looks like that. >> Okay. >> And he was complaining to the cashier and was was not a good or whatever. But in the meantime when I get I went to get the same thing he had in the in there cuz that's what I was looking for. >> Right. >> So, I went there and took and in the meantime I took and put my my wallet down there. >> Okay. Down by where the product was? >> Where the product was it. I put it right there. And the same time he come to to change whatever he had wrong. >> Okay. >> And he took my >> And then he just just grabbed it. >> Okay. I don't >> Did you did you see him grab it? >> I don't see >> Okay, you didn't see him grab it. Okay, okay. So, it was so you saw the product I'm assuming it was like wine or something something like >> the product. Okay, he >> Yeah, but then you just put it down and >> Yeah, because okay. I put down my wallet like this >> Yeah. >> and I look at what he was doing there. >> Okay. >> And that's it. >> Yeah. >> And then I tell him I have to go and >> Mhm. >> pay. >> Yeah. >> But in the meantime I was looking for the product the guy had and he said he going to check, he going to do something, I don't know what. >> Okay. >> And he took the wallet. >> And then he just grabbed it and >> And I don't see it. >> Okay. >> He saw in the camera because I complained I said no, I had my wallet. >> Right, right. >> And they look at the camera and they say yeah, that he took >> Mhm. >> He changed the product about in the same time he took the wallet. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I have my wallet and I have my license and I have >> Yeah. >> my credit cards, I have a lot of things like that. >> Okay. I see. All righty, just give me your name really quick so I can get your information down. >> Okay. >> Um question is uh okay, yeah, so you have your license and everything inside of there, right? >> you have my social security card. >> Yeah, don't don't make it Do you live here in Clearwater? >> Yeah, I live I I live in Bellaire. >> Okay. What's your name? >> Barbara. You're going to see the the morning they have to find they're going to check out everything, you know. >> Okay. >> But my $1,000 I want I want to go to the bank. They don't give me a chance to go >> Okay. Okay. Um Uh no. Okay. See. Give me the report number. Okay. >> Oh, yeah, I need for the bank. I need to give it to the bank. >> Yeah. Um Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. Let's uh let's see this video. All Oh, you know better than that, right? >> Yeah, no. My phone is missing. >> Yeah. No, no, no, this is what happened. We went in, we bought liquor. They told me they said I got to grab another one. I said, "Okay." And then I came back in, I grabbed one, but the handle was broken. I went back to the uh the cashier. I was like, "Can I grab another one?" He was like, "Yeah, sure." Because the pin was out. So, I went in and grabbed it and I saw a wallet. I thought it was hers cuz we went in there split second. >> Okay. >> I thought it was hers. So, then he hopped on the highway. I was like and she was like, "Where's my card?" I gave it back to her. She was like, "Wait, this is not mine." So, we're I don't know. I thought I left it there. >> Okay. >> So, that's it. That was it. And then I didn't intentionally take it cuz I didn't know it was hers not. So that's why I was like, "Okay, give it back to her." But >> Okay. >> That's all. >> All righty. >> Besides that. >> Yeah. The The only thing is I'm going to have you just wait here cuz I need her to get here as well. She's already on her way. And then from there we would reset, okay? >> Okay. Yeah, cuz we went and then we was on the highway and she was like, "We need to go back." And we was like, "We had to pick up the kids." That's why. >> Okay. All righty. You just wait in your car and then I'll be I'll be with you in a sec. >> need you want my ID or anything? >> I will in a second. Just I have to give her a call. >> No problem. >> Okay. How long are you staying here in Clearwater for? >> Uh a few weeks. Oh, not Clearwater. Uh Brandon. >> All right, Brandon. Yeah. >> A few weeks. >> Okay. Yep. All righty. So the only issue that I'm having, okay, is just that the things that she listed on the property receipt, there's certain the wallet's pretty much empty with her license and things like that, okay? So the the only thing is I'm waiting for her and obviously she misplaced it. It could have been anywhere to be honest. Um we just have to wait for her to get here so she can claim her thing. And then from there it's still her decision if she wants to press charges or not, okay? Um so that's why I'm just going to have you stand by, wait for her to make the decision. If no, then no problem. You would just get going today, okay? >> And then if she decided to press charges, then what? But >> Then then we'll we'll still have to file it, okay? >> Okay. So got it. So what do you mean by file it? >> Well, we'll I'll have to wait for her to get here to see if she's going to either request them or not, okay? >> Do you mean not as in like what is file? You mean >> So file means so it it's theft. That's what it is. >> But I didn't take anything. That don't make sense. >> Look, well, the wallet was sitting here in the state. Taking the wallet >> Okay. >> This was considered theft. >> But I found it. I didn't take it. That's what I'm saying. >> As soon as you saw or as soon as you noticed it wasn't hers or anything, you guys should have still came back and returned it, okay? but >> to pick up the kids. That's why we had to drive back. >> Under- understandable, okay? There's there's circumstances to it, okay? >> I just wanted to make sure. Yeah, okay. >> Yeah. So, we'll just have to wait by, okay? >> Okay. >> All right. If you want, you can wait outside or just wait in the car. I'm going to just be standing by, okay? >> Okay. Wait for her to get here. >> Then I'm also going to go inside and try to figure out what what that she wants. Like I said, these don't come off the same way they come on? >> Yeah. >> All right. 217 60, I have 1 10-15 over there. >> what she wants to go pick >> Yeah, I'll I'll give her all the information. Do you have anything on you that's going to stick in your pocket? >> No, I just have my wallet on my left side. >> Okay. Just face this way. Why are you stance? Just going to >> And then I have to go. >> Okay. Come on. Keep them. Let me give her the information first and then I'll I'll come and talk to you, okay? >> Okay. >> All right. Do you want to hold on to your hat or want me to pop it off? >> I'm fine. I can hold on. >> Okay. >> You want to take anything out? >> Anything in your pocket? >> No, it's up to you. Okay. All right, ma'am. I'm just going to give you the information. So >> Okay. >> So, are you aware of of like what happened? >> The head of the IC said what was it? I said no it's because we were in a rush when I signed it and I sent it back to get it again. I know that one I I still I still had the letter. I said I have to go. So then I'm like no. So he thought because I did I bought like two and then I had four other liquor I was holding cuz it's a big box like this is the dragon like that officer. So I'm like and then I We were already on the highway cuz I'm in Brandon and the kids get out by 3:10 like I said. So that's what I said. I'm like oh what's that right? So then I'm like okay we have So that's when Jimmy he checked. I'm like yeah I'm do you have his number? I can show you the text. I'm like can you call the officer saying that I'm getting the kids and then I'm going to run right back. You can see the text too. So that's what I'm saying. So that's when I was talking to you. I said he's got to go pick her up. I got the two kids and they didn't even eat yet. So I got them McDonald's when I was here. >> Okay. >> So, I was wondering, that's what I say. I So, I don't know what's going on. So, is it Is there a way that I can talk cuz she is on because he's just here visiting me. So, is there a way that I can talk to her to >> So, and then that's that's the thing, too. So, um what what's going to end up happening he he's just going to go to county and I'm going to give you the address and all that stuff. >> Okay. >> He'll go through processing there uh and then from there you probably get like a bond or something like that that he can just pay and get out, okay? >> Okay. >> I'm not 100% sure how the entire process goes, but I'll give you the address so then that way you can follow the van down there, too um and be able to take it. So, it's over um off the 49th Street. >> I don't >> Okay, yeah. I'll I'll give you the entire address and all that stuff. >> couple weeks ago. That's why I don't know. So, but is there any way that I can talk to her before like, you know, we can go on just to to see like really like a woman to woman that is on vacation, officer? Is there any way that I can >> I can I would have to wait till another officer gets here so then that way you guys can have that exchange. >> her. >> So, the only So, the the issue that we're having, too, is that he's also on camera grabbing the grabbing the purse. >> I think it was That's what he thought because I did go in first to grab the two dragon purse. So, he thought I left it cuz I told him to go back in. I was like, "Okay, can you go grab me another one?" Because we couldn't hold all three of the dragon is there I don't know how the liquor that you saw it. >> Yeah. >> So, he thought that when I I took out the card to pay with the membership so he thought that was mine. So, that's why he's like, "Is that Is that No, we have to go get the kid." That's how it is. So, I want to explain it to her. So, if there's any chance that you can >> And then the the second part about it, too, is so then >> Yes. >> once we take a report, right? We ask, "Hey, what was the contents of the purse and everything like that, okay?" >> Okay. >> So, the the thing that I don't know and and I'm not going to ask you, I'm going to ask him, is the fact of, "Okay, so from the part that you guys left here to over there, right?" >> Yes. >> Was the purse thrown anywhere? Did Did he notice that it wasn't yours and kind of just tossed it off? Cuz the issue is there's stuff inside that's missing. >> Oh, I have it. receipt. >> If nothing was and I told him right away, I was like if nothing's missing, she you know she doesn't mind whatever we're going to do. But because her stuff missing now and now is where she's like okay, you know, I'd rather just go through with the charges. Okay? >> Are you saying that there's a chance that I can like talk to her because it is like I said so we're still waiting for another officer to come in for her to come. I thought she already came. >> She's here but she's fixing things inside. But I'd rather keep both parties separated and have another officer with her. >> If you can please it's much easier. Thank you so much. >> Okay. No problem. All right. So I'm just going to read you your rights. Okay? It's just because I have to ask you questions and you should know your rights first before I ask you anything. Okay? So you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. You have a right All right. You The only question I have for you is All right. So kind of explain Okay. So you here here's my straight forward with me. Okay? Just need you to be honest with me. When when you took the purse and realized that hey it's it's not my aunt's and all that stuff. Did you toss the purse or anything like that? No? >> Not that I know of. What it is we went straight to the school and picked the kids up and we came back cuz my cousin called me. He was like hey it's urgent. Clearwater PD. I was like yeah I was like yeah picking up the kids and we headed right back. >> Yeah. >> And he was like caught you on camera taking something. I was like I thought it was my aunt's. >> Yeah. >> He was like yeah and then they were just like you better go back now. I was like yeah picking up kids and we're going back and then we got stuck in traffic. That's all. >> Okay. All right. Inside the purse so there was a a license and credit card and things like that. So the issue that we're having The only reason why she's moving forward with these charges is just because she you know she saw that she has her money and all that stuff but she's missing her credit card and all that information. So that's why I'm like hey dude like if you toss it it's easier to explain that maybe when you tossed it the cards fell out case closed. >> No I just left it in the car and then that was it. I don't know >> Okay. So you and you don't you have no idea if this credit card could have possibly fell or anything? >> No, I just picked it up and then well once I opened it, it was like that and then my aunt was like, "No, that's not hers." So then we was like, "Okay." >> Yeah. >> And then we had nobody to call so we was like, "Pick up the kids first." So then we were right on the highway. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All righty. All right, that's fine. All right, just waiting for another officer to get here. Um but like I said, that that's the only thing. I'm going to give your aunt all the information. She's going to follow you. So that way when you get to booking, you get the processing over and quick with and then you'll you'll be out of there as quickly as possible, okay? >> Okay, but she's worried about her credit cards. >> So it's her license, her credit cards, her membership card at Costco which is completely missing. It's a few items from the process, miss. >> Yeah, but credit card, if someone swipe it, you can bank it, no? >> Say it again. >> If someone swipe the credit card, you'll know. >> Yeah, but the thing is that the person hasn't used it yet. >> Oh, yeah, so I don't know. Yeah, that's why I called it like that. So I'm not sure. >> Okay. All righty, no problem, okay? I'll I'm going to just move up there. Give me a second. All right. All righty, ma'am. So I'll give you the This is the address here. It's going to be Pinellas County Jail. Um it's 14400 49th Street North. >> You think if I put on the navigation, it'll come up? >> Yeah, it comes out just like that, okay? It's probably I mean with traffic and everything it's probably like 20 minutes from here. But what's going to end up happening is there's going to be a big van that's going to come um and and it will just transport him down there. So you can just follow the van which makes it a lot easier. So then again, you're going to have to like I put the phone number there too because you can call. Um you can call them directly and just be like, "Hey, um William is being processed right now. He's going through booking." So that way they can give you an update to see like how long it's going to take or if there's going to be a bail or not and that information, okay? >> Okay, so I can call them. I should be done by today, but um is she coming or is she uh >> So that's that's the thing. So I haven't seen her come back out this way, so I don't know if she's wandering around in in Costco or not trying to figure out her membership, okay? But but the thing is so transportation's already coming over here. So I mean right now it's just going to be waiting for transport to get here. Um and then from there you can follow the van and then go with him uh through booking if if they allow it, okay? >> Okay. Uh so go from there or follow from this and just say William, okay. >> Well, you have to wait till he gets there, too, so >> Oh, the booking uh the van, okay. So then is there any way we can call to see if she is coming out of the terminal or >> Well, so the the the charge has already been put. So it's all about just going down there. Just he has to go through booking. Once he goes through the booking process, then then yeah. For her, unfortunately, it's it's the thing is I can't force him to call in a license thing. So that's already a face loss, so it's it's her loss at that point. She's just going to have to get a new license and new credit card and things like that, okay? >> Yeah, so but I figured I wanted to let her hear the story herself. I thought that she was going to come back out after she get her membership cuz I honestly don't >> I'm I'm sure I'm sure if she comes back out, yeah, we can we can definitely talk to her, yeah. >> Okay, so oh, so she >> Cuz she's inside. >> She's probably just shopping. >> Well, she doesn't have a membership card anymore, so I'm not sure if Here's the van. >> All right, go and get out of here. >> Yes, that is what we are saying. >> You got to go. You can't be standing around. >> Oh, sorry. All righty, William. You can Okay. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Just Just give me 1 second. Let me grab your stuff real quick. >> So, that's all I have on me right here? >> Uh so, you're just going to go to county jail. I already gave it to your aunt the information. Um and then from there, you go through booking, um and your aunt's going to call them. So, then that way you're in good communication with them, okay? Your I think your aunt's just going to go drop off the kids and then come back. Okay. I'm going to give this to to property over here. He just has a a license and this chapstick. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah, I think we're just waiting for aunt to leave. So, I Yeah, I think I think check over it. Just waiting for aunt to leave cuz there's kids in the car. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. No worries. Is there a lot of traffic going on right now or >> Oh, yeah. I'm going to Vegas. >> Okay. >> But, it took me forever. >> I still want to get to see him. >> Yeah, sure. >> Hanging around. >> Okay. >> All right. >> What do you do with stolen items? >> Stolen items. Stolen items. >> All right, buddy. All right, sir. Can I step forward 5 ft down underneath the step right here? I'm going to walk backwards. No. Right right right right right. No. No. >> Underneath. >> Oh, underneath. Oh, yeah. >> You want to know when she's going to be taking the kids home? >> Oh, yeah. I did. Do you have anything on you? >> No. I don't know. >> All right, sir. Belt going over you. Put your hands behind your back for me, please. Put your hands behind your >> All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. Thank you for watching.