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Police Say Man Tried To Steal Beef From Supermarket

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By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

Stephen Tinker

When Stephen Bruce Tinker wanted to find a good place to hide the two family packages of beef steaks he was stealing from the Sweetbay Supermarket yesterday in Seffner, deputies say he didn't have to look far.

Tinker, 50, stuffed the two packages, valued at $69, into his jeans, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesman J.D. Callaway.

He did this while a security guard was watching him, Callaway said.

When Tinker walked out of the store without paying for the beef, he was stopped by the guard.

Then he pushed the guard, but was eventually apprehended, according to a criminal report affidavit.

Tinker's attempted beef thievery is only the tip of the iceberg, said Dean Wheeler, Sweetbay assistant store manager.

"Seems like there has been a rash of thefts lately," said Wheeler, chalking up the trend to the sour economy. "When times get tough, it is even worse. And it has gotten worse."

The beef steaks, he said, are very popular targets.

They are a high value item that are easy to hide, he said.

"They resell them in bars," said Wheeler. "We are told people walk into a bar and offer them for half price and someone usually takes them up on it. I am sure they are not in their pants when they go to sell it, because I sure wouldn't buy them."

Tinker's case is unusual, Wheeler said. Most of the time, those who are caught give up the items without a struggle.

Tinker was charged with robbery. He is in the Orient Road Jail with no bond set, according to jail records, which show he violated his probation on an earlier assault charge.

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