A Sam’s Club outlet in Lady Lake, Florida, was recently forced to dispose of $10,500 worth of Spam and Vienna sausages. The incident was triggered by a man, later identified as 70-year-old retiree Patrick Francis Mitchell, who was caught on camera urinating on the canned goods in aisle 18. The police affidavit indicates that the incident led to the contamination of 188 bulk units of Vienna sausages and 345 units of canned Spam Classic.
The store’s surveillance footage revealed Mitchell approaching the canned goods section. He was seen positioning both hands in front of him, below the belt line, and standing still for several seconds. Marion County Detective Ronnie Williams interpreted this behavior as consistent with urination.
After the act, Mitchell was observed casually heading to the snack section of the store. He spent approximately 10 minutes sitting on patio furniture before proceeding to the checkout counter. After paying for his items, he left the store.
Mitchell was subsequently arrested at his home in the Village of Piedmont, a retirement community known as “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown,” where he lives with his wife.
The incident has resulted in Mitchell being charged with disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. The latter charge is considered a felony as the alleged damage exceeded $1,000. Mitchell has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently out on a $3,000 bond.
The incident has sparked concerns about the safety and hygiene standards in retail stores. It underscores the need for enhanced surveillance and security measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.