A Villager has entered a plea after allegedly ruining more than $10,000 worth of Spam and Vienna sausages by peeing on pallets of the products at Sam’s Club.
Patrick Francis Mitchell, 70, who lives in the Village of Piedmont, entered a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of criminal mischief this week in Lake County Court. He is being represented by criminal defense attorney Bobby Rumalla.
Since Villages-News.com first reported on Mitchell’s June 3 arrest at his home at 8279 SE 177th Winterthur Loop, the story has been making headlines across the country, including on The Smoking Gun.
A woman was in Sam’s Club in Lady Lake on the morning of May 30 when the lady shopper spotted Mitchell “urinating in Aisle 18,” according to an affidavit of probable cause from the Lady Lake Police Department. The woman used her cell phone to take a photo of Mitchell and she showed the photo to store employees.
Sam’s Club employees reviewed the surveillance footage which clearly showed that Mitchell, “walked up to two pallets, facing the shelf, placed both hands in front of him below the belt line, and stood there for several seconds,” according to the affidavit, noting it was, “behavior consistent with urination.”
Managers inspected the damage to the 188 units of 18-count Vienna sausages and the 345 units of 8-count Spam Classic. They concluded that because the products had been contaminated with bodily fluid, they would need to be thrown out. The merchandise had a total value of $10,584.
Mitchell used his Sam’s Club membership identification card when he entered the store. A detective from the police department used Mitchell’s Sam’s Club ID and matched it with the store surveillance imagery and ultimately Mitchell’s photograph on his Florida driver’s license. Warrants were issued for Mitchell’s arrest on charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Mitchell remains free on $3,000 bond.