Officials say the two men stole a hot dog and beer - but forgot to take an ID card and a gun when they left.
By Associated Press
Published October 10, 2003
STUART - Police are suggesting a new career path for two men who left an identification card and weapon with a convenience store clerk before stealing a hot dog and beer.
Martin County sheriff's deputies arrested the men when they returned to the store an hour later to retrieve the ID and BB gun.
"It was really stupid, but kids do stupid things sometimes," said Marie Blanco, 42, the clerk at the Speedway store where the theft occurred early Wednesday.
Blanco said she noticed one of the men had a gun tucked in his waistband after she asked him for identification to prove he was old enough to buy beer. She asked Winston Lamar, 22, if the gun was real.
Lamar told her it was a BB gun, and he put it in the money tray under the protective screen to show her, records show. Blanco grabbed the gun and called police as the men fled without paying for the beer or the hot dog.
Thirty minutes later, Blanco said, Lamar called the store, asking if he could come get his ID and the gun. Blanco told them police had left and that they could retrieve the items.
Two sheriff's deputies were there to arrest the men when they arrived.
Deputies charged Lamar with theft and carrying a concealed firearm. Drew Nash, 21, was charged with theft. They were released on bail later Wednesday. Attempts to reach the men were unsuccessful.
Sheriff's Sgt. Jenell Atlas suggested the men find another line of work.
"This one does not seem to be working out for them," she said.
