Steak Snatcher Strikes Again: Bartow Man Faces New Felony Charges!

Haines City, Florida, USA - In the bustling town of Bartow, Kenneth DeShawn Bailey, 47, has found himself in hot water yet again, facing serious felony charges for his latest spree of retail thefts. Bailey was arrested on May 28 after allegedly pilfering a staggering $470 worth of stolen steaks along with $107 worth of Gatorade from local stores. His theft spree began at the Winn-Dixie on Havendale Boulevard, leading to an arrest by the Polk County deputies, who later found the stolen steaks from a nearby Publix.

Following his initial apprehension, an investigation by Detective Wright from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office revealed a disturbing trend. Evidence linked Bailey to thefts at not just one, but two Lowe’s locations in Polk County—one in Haines City and another in Lake Wales. The thefts have led to charges of Multiple Retail Thefts over Twenty Items within 120 Days, a second-degree felony that could see him facing prison time once again if convicted, potentially marking the fifth time he’s been sent to a Florida state prison, according to TampaFP.

A Regional Retail Crime Epidemic

Bailey’s situation is not an isolated case; it reflects a broader epidemic of retail crime sweeping through communities across the U.S. Organized retail crime (ORC) has surged, with criminals exploiting local laws to coordinate thefts primarily for resale—often online. The National Retail Federation’s 2022 Retail Security Survey revealed that a staggering 80% of retailers reported increased violence and aggression related to theft. The economic toll is hard to ignore: losses due to retail theft, or “shrink,” reached nearly $100 billion last year, with ORC being a significant contributor, as highlighted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

This crime wave doesn’t just hurt store owners; it impacts local economies as well. According to recent figures, organized retail crime has led to $125.7 billion in economic losses, and close to 685,000 jobs have vanished as a result. Small businesses are especially vulnerable, with over half reporting that theft has worsened in recent times. It’s no wonder that communities are pressing for more stringent laws to combat these organized crime rings.

A Criminal History of Theft

Bailey’s troubles don’t stop with the recent charges. He carries a lengthy criminal history, including four prior prison terms and numerous active felony warrants stretching across several counties, including Manatee, Marion, Hernando, and Hillsborough. His known pattern of retail theft poses a troubling question: how do we address the motivations behind such criminal behavior? It remains unclear what Bailey planned to do with the stolen items, but the law doesn’t take such offenses lightly. As he sits in Polk County Jail, questions linger about what it will take to deter individuals like him from engaging in persistent criminal activities.

With communities now grappling with increased retail crime, it returns us to a sobering challenge: how can we support local businesses while also addressing the rise of organized retail crime? The answers may require a multi-faceted approach, focusing on law enforcement collaboration and local resources to bolster preventative measures. After all, as we’ve seen in situations like Bailey’s, there’s a lot at stake when it comes to community safety and economic stability.