Suspect in multi-county Walmart thefts arrested in Lake City

Kenneth Platt, 50, booked into Columbia County Jail

Columbia County Jail booking photo for Kenneth Platt

LAKE CITY, Fla. – Lake City police said they arrested a man suspected of stealing merchandise from Walmarts in two counties.

Kenneth Platt, 50, was arrested at a Starbucks off U.S. 90 over the weekend.

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Walmart associates said last November, they discovered several laptops missing from the display area. After reviewing surveillance video, they saw a man tampering with security devices on the laptops.

They said he removed a laptop from the security device and placed it in his shopping cart. Shortly after, the man concealed the laptop under his shirt and left without paying for it, the Lake City Police Department said.

Walmart employees told LCPD this occurred four different times.

The stolen merchandise was valued at $1,746.

Police said they discovered the same suspect was also removing laptops from the Walmart in Macclenny.

Police say he taunted the camera while the laptop was concealed beneath his hoodie in the Baker County store.

Lake City Walmart employees reported last Friday the suspect was back in the store. They said he left the store without paying for two automotive tires worth $190.

Police officers arrested Platt at Starbucks near the Lake City Mall.

Platt had three active warrants for thefts in Columbia, Baker and Suwannee Counties.

He was booked into the Columbia County Jail and held on no bond.


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