Florida officials are investigating a peculiar incident that occurred at a Bass Pro Shops location in Fort Meyers. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office released a statement notifying the public of an alleged theft in the hunting and fishing store. According to officials, a male suspect stole a live tarpon from the store’s fishpond using a fishing net. The suspect fled the store with the 50-pound tarpon in an unknown direction, leaving authorities to investigate the strange crime.
The incident reportedly occurred while the suspect was browsing at the store. Upon grabbing a fishing net from the shelf, the man proceeded to the store’s fishpond and used the equipment to capture the fish. Investigators in Lee County are seeking the public’s assistance in this case and have shared a video of the strange crime. According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, a witness captured the incident on video via Snapchat.
The video shows the alleged suspect carrying the tarpon while wearing dark-colored pants, a navy blue T-shirt, and a fishing hat. While walking through the store with the live fish in tow, the suspect was caught on camera by store employees and other patrons. Authorities are hoping to identify the suspect captured in the video to bring him to justice.
The theft of the tarpon is not an ordinary retail theft, according to Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Officials are encouraging anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incident to reach out to authorities. They believe that the information shared with them could lead to the successful apprehension of the suspect responsible.
Tarpon is considered a game fish in Florida, which means anglers may use a catch and release system to fish for this species. However, illegally taking fish from private property is considered theft and is punishable by law. As such, the suspect responsible for stealing the tarpon from Bass Pro Shops is likely to face significant legal repercussions.
Overall, the case surrounding the stolen tarpon from Bass Pro Shops in Fort Meyers is an unusual one. Florida officials are urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect responsible for this strange fish theft.