Man Tries to Use Imaginary Card to Pay for Cookies

A Florida man landed in the Barrow County Jail after exhibiting strange behavior during a Nov. 18 visit to a Winder grocery store.

A Winder police officer was dispatched to the Ingles on North Broad at approximately 3:30 p.m. in response to a report of a male screaming and cursing inside the store. Upon arrival, the officer located the male, later identified as Matthew White, age 48, of Satellite Beach, Fla., outside the store standing next to the wall charging his cell phone.

A store clerk explained White had entered the store earlier and had walked around collecting cookies and other items. White allegedly ate some of the cookies on the way to the register. Once at the register, White reportedly slid an imaginary card across the counter as if he were actually paying for the items. When the clerk informed him he would need a real method of payment, White said he would need to go outside and get his wallet.

The clerk said White went outside and began walking around the parking lot as if he were confused. A few moments later, he reportedly entered the foyer area and began banging on the glass as if he did not know how to get inside the store.

"Once back inside the store the male began walking through the store cursing and collected hair ties and a cell phone charger," the report stated. "The male then went into the restroom and opened the hair bands and placed one in his hair; he then took the charger out of the package and walked outside to plug the charger into the wall."

White was placed under arrest and cited for shoplifting and disorderly conduct. He was transported to the jail without incident. 

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