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'Khaki Bandit' denies thefts

Eric Almly is accused of taking 11 laptops from Outback offices.

By JAMES THORNER, Times Staff Writer
Published November 10, 2007

Eric Almly, listens to a judge before his hearing on Friday morning. Almly plead not guilty for stealing laptops from several companies, including Outback Steakhouse. He was warned to stay away from the company while waiting for trial.
	[Carrie Pratt | Times]

Eric Almly, the career criminal accused of stealing and reselling laptop computers from some of Florida's best-known companies, pleaded not guilty Friday to victimizing the Tampa headquarters of Outback Steakhouse.

Despite a record stretching back 15 years and a modus operandi that earned him the nickname the "Khaki Bandit," Almly avoided the fate of the majority of chained and jump-suited defendants in the Tampa courtroom: He was free on bail and accompanied by a female companion after posting $50,000 last month to get out of jail in Miami.

Circuit Court Judge Emmett Battles wanted assurances that Almly didn't misuse his liberty to contact local victims.

"You will not go near the Outback offices," Battles told Almly during his Friday morning arraignment.

The 33-year-old Minnesota native, who earlier this fall was held in a Miami jail awaiting trial, was the subject of a St. Petersburg Times story in October. It described how police linked Almly to more than two dozen heists across five states.

Police accused Almly of slipping into corporate offices such as Outback and Sykes Enterprises in Tampa and Burger King and Lennar Homes in Miami. He did so by mixing with employees during business hours and leaving with laptops in a shoulder bag.

Outback lost 11 laptops, and tracking software on some machines led detectives to Almly's $1,800-a-month Miami Beach condo. He's accused of selling stolen computers on online auction site eBay.

Almly did not comment after his court hearing.

Earlier this week a man who said he was Almly called a business reporter at the St. Petersburg Times complaining about a previous story.

"I'm trying to find employment. You've made that 10-million times more difficult for me now," he said.

Almly's next Tampa court date is Dec. 14, when prosecutors plan to present what they've learned about outstanding cases against him in other states.

Times staff writer Scott Barancik contributed to this story. James Thorner can be reached at thorner@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3313.

[Last modified November 9, 2007, 22:52:19]