Coral Springs woman arrested for stealing almost $1,700 in merchandise from Publix, including 64 cans of infant formula

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Curteeciah La’shay Bessent, 23, was arrested yesterday for stealing almost $1,700 in merchandise from two Gainesville Publix stores on March 31.

Bessent allegedly went to the Publix at 5200 SW 34th Street at 12:33 p.m. on March 31 and took 17 cans of infant formula, air filters, a trash can, a mop, and a bucket, totaling $440.70, passing all points of purchase without paying.

At about 2:54 p.m. on the same day, she allegedly went to the Publix at 3930 SW Archer Road and took 47 cans of infant formula, pet food, air conditioner filters, and a latch box, totaling $1,213.92.

Post Miranda, she reportedly admitted taking the items.

Bessent, whose listed address is in Coral Springs and who told court officials she’d been in Alachua County for one day, has been charged with theft, grand theft, and engaging in a scheme to defraud. She has no criminal convictions but has three pending cases in Orange and Broward counties, including two theft cases. Judge Kristine Van Vorst set bail at $30,000.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

  • These are the “poor people stealing baby formula” the democrats like to cry about. Nothing more than career criminals stealing stuff to sell to the Indian stores, who in turn sell drugs and tobacco for EBT money. Scum of the earth.

      • who the hell else do you think eats baby formula at the end of the day you idiot? Do you think she’s eating it herself for dinner, it’s going to a baby

        • If you can’t afford to buy baby formula for your baby, you don’t pay for two tanks of gas to drive five hours north and back.

          No, she stole this stuff to sell.

        • Perfect example of typical liberal reasoning. Emotion overrules logical and short circuits any ability to arrive at a logical conclusion. Bray on Dee Dee.

        • Deedee I doubt you have children but they don’t need formula after they’re a year old. She stole more formula than multiple babies would need for an entire year, and there’s nothing in the article to even suggest she has a baby of her own. You are also ignoring the fact there are plenty of places and ways to get free and subsidized formula. Stop trying to excuse crime.

  • Parents in District 1 or SWAG district, PLEEZ name your children normally. If you want them to integrate the way your ancestors fought and struggled for. Thank you.

    • No, it’s a practical way for employers to know to avoid these applicants. I am being generous in the assumption that applications are being filed…

  • What a serious threat to society. I mean, this is a first, a serial theft of air conditioner filters. AC filter theft is the gateway crime, within months she will be doing who knows what. Serial AC filter theft should at least be grounds for life in prison with no parole. I am totally scared of this criminal. If she does not buy or steal filters, she might do the compound crime of running her AC without a filter, one of the most extreme threats to society there is.

    • She’s from Coral Springs, so she’s probably been on drugs since she was 9 or 10 years old. She’s probably used to the corrupt POS people there letting her steal from where they work.

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