A Florida center college principal mentioned he “did one thing dumb” after he was arrested at Walmart for attempting a shoplifting tactic he claims his pals informed him would work.
Bok Academy North Principal Gregory Lewis was at a Winter Haven Walmart in Polk County on Saturday afternoon when an asset safety officer noticed him “skip scanning” on the self-checkout, WFLA reported.
Lewis had been caught inserting a bag of disposable foam plates between costlier gadgets to steal them and solely pay for the cheaper gadgets.
He had tried to steal a big pack of sunshine bulbs, bacon, and frozen butterfly shrimp, totaling $37.45, in line with an arrested affidavit obtained by the outlet.
The center college principal, who admitted to the crime, informed a Winter Haven police officer throughout his arrest that his pals had informed him concerning the shoplifting tactic and that he wished to attempt it out for himself.
“We sit round speaking, ‘Hey I did this.’ Let me try to see what I can get away with,” Lewis informed an officer who was carrying a physique digital camera throughout his arrest.
“I did one thing dumb right this moment and I perceive it.”
Following his arrest, Lewis was booked into the Polk County Jail on a petit theft cost, in line with WFLA.
Lake Wales Constitution Colleges interim superintendent Alricky Smith mentioned Lewis had been positioned on administrative depart pending a assessment.
“Right now, I’m unable to offer any feedback on the following steps, as this matter is ongoing,” Smith wrote in a letter to trustees.
The Publish has reached out to Lake Wales Constitution Colleges for remark.
Retired Polk County trainer James Barker informed WFLA that Lewis’s actions have an effect on the “fame” of all who work in schooling.
“Sadly, it’s turning our occupation into a tragic scenario,” Barker mentioned.
“Increasingly persons are doing simply silly issues with none regard to the results not just for themselves however the fame of our occupation.”
The retired educator questioned how a center college principal getting caught stealing may very well be perceived by Lewis’s college students.
“He’s the principal of the varsity and now he’s been caught doing this, so what instance does he set for the youngsters?” he requested.
Lewis has been the principal at Bok Tower North since August 2024, WFLA reported.
Lewis isn’t the primary college principal caught attempting to underpay for items.
Final yr, a principal in Japan was fired after allegedly being busted for utilizing a self-service espresso machine at a comfort retailer and pouring himself a large-size espresso whereas solely paying for a regular-size espresso.
The shop clerk observed, stopped the person, and instantly known as the police.
Whereas the shop didn’t press fees, the Hyogo Prefectural Board of Training fired him for “gross misconduct unbecoming of an academic public servant.”
In consequence, he is not going to obtain his retirement pay, which is estimated to be about $133,000.
