A man from Florida was arrested for stealing 50 Disney Trading pins, valued at around $900. from a merchandise location in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. The 27-year-old man’s family spoke to the media, and called his actions “a mistake.”
Authorities arrested the Florida resident on March 2 on suspicion of grand theft, a third-degree felony. While the man was taken to jail, the State Attorney’s Office has yet to file charges, so his identity remains anonymous at this time, according to WWDNT.
Two eyewitnesses spotted the man stealing from the DisneyStyle store in the West Side neighborhood of the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, according to police documents. A Disney cast member working at the store saw the guest put Disney Trading Pins in the front pocket of his shorts and alerted their manager, who called security.
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Security cast members observed the man visit the bathroom in a nearby Starbucks before heading to another Disney-owned merchandise location, Star Wars Galactic Outpost. There, one security cast member observed him putting more Disney Trading Pins into his shorts pocket.
When Walt Disney World Resort security cast members and Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies confronted the man, they found 50 different trading pins inside his backpack and on his person. Authorities said he admitted to taking the items.
The Disney Trading pins would have cost roughly $922 with taxes. This meets the threshold for grand theft in Florida, and if found guilty, the man could face up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and up to $5,000 in fines.
The man’s mother spoke to WDWNT about her son’s arrest, claiming that he “is mentally unwell and made a mistake.”
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This theft is considered especially serious because collectible Disney pins are highly sought after and resell quickly in secondary markets. Law enforcement stressed the importance of reporting such thefts promptly, as they can quickly escalate if stolen merchandise is resold online or through other channels.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the stolen pins have been recovered and returned to the store. The man is currently being held in the county jail pending further legal proceedings.
Store management said they are reviewing procedures to ensure such incidents don’t take place in the future. “We take theft very seriously and are grateful for the quick action of law enforcement,” a spokesperson said.