Woman Accused of Stealing Publix Motorized Cart in Punta Gorda
A woman in Florida was arrested Monday after stealing a motorized Publix shopping cart and using it to drive herself to an appointment.
Deputies Respond to Publix Theft Call
A Punta Gorda woman was arrested after authorities say she stole a motorized Publix shopping cart and drove it nearly a mile down the road. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office reported the incident happened Monday morning around 10:12 a.m. at the Publix on Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda.
Deputies spoke with the store manager, who said a woman had entered the store, taken a motorized shopping cart, and was later spotted riding it south on Tamiami Trail from Airport Road.
Suspect Found at Gas Station
Deputies tracked the woman, later identified as 42-year-old Robin Zick of Punta Gorda, to a Circle K gas station located on South Tamiami Trail. She was still sitting on the cart when deputies arrived. The sheriff’s office confirmed the cart, valued at $2,500, belonged to Publix.
Emergency medical services also arrived at the scene after Zick had made a call for assistance prior to deputies approaching her.
Woman Claims She Planned to Return Cart
When questioned, Zick told deputies she took the cart because she needed to get to a medical appointment. She explained her plan was to ride the cart to her appointment and then return it to the Publix.
Deputies transported Zick to the hospital for further evaluation. Once released, she was taken into custody and charged with grand theft.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has not reported any injuries related to the incident.
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