A 24-year-old man was arrested for allegedly robbing a Florida meat market on Dec. 23 while believed to be armed and wearing nothing but a face mask, police said.
At around 8:50 p.m. on Dec. 23, police responded to a reported business robbery at BJ’s Meat Market, according to a press release from the Lake City Police Department. Upon arrival, police spoke with store employees, determined no one was hurt and reviewed surveillance video. Police learned the suspect was nude, except for a face covering. After receiving a description of the suspect and his purported direction of travel, police established a perimeter and attempted to locate him.
Following a coordinated search, police found evidence — including clothing items — along the suspect’s purported travel route that they believed was connected to the alleged incident. The Lake City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division responded, processed the scene, documented evidence and continued a follow-up investigation, according to the same release.
The suspect, identified as Kobe Watkins, was detained with the help of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported for a medical evaluation and then booked into the Columbia County Detention Center.
Lake City Police Department Chief Gerard Butler said the situation was “unsettling.”
“Incidents like this are unsettling, but our officers responded quickly, secured the scene, and worked with our partners to identify and arrest the suspect. We appreciate the swift assistance from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the cooperation from the business employees that helped bring this to a safe resolution,” Butler stated via the same release. (RELATED: ‘Sorry, I Been Drunk’: Alleged Thief Apologizes To Guitar Store After Stealing Mandolins)
According to WCJB, Watkins, 24, allegedly broke into a cash box and took more than $1,000 from the store before he fled the scene. Employees believed he was carrying a weapon, as he had a piece of cloth wrapped around something in his hand. Watkins faces charges of armed robbery, exposure of sexual organs, grand theft and criminal mischief, WCJB reported.
The incident is not the first time someone has been arrested while nude in Florida. In November, Anthony Day was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting an officer without violence and exposure of sexual organs for allegedly walking nude in near-freezing temperatures, The Independent reported.
The Lake City Police Department directed the Daily Caller to the same press release when contacted for comment.