A Florida middle school principal who was arrested for attempting a shoplifting tactic his friends suggested to him has revealed that the action was a “dumb” one.
On Saturday afternoon, Bok Academy North Principal Gregory Lewis took to a Winter Haven Walmart in Polk County when an asset protection officer observed him “skip scanning” at the self-checkout, as per a WFLA report.
The Florida middle school principal had been caught placing a bag of disposable foam plates between more expensive items to take them away and only pay for the cheaper items, leading to his arrest.
RELATED STORIES
READ ALSO: California mother and daughter killed by ex-boyfriend in cold attack
Lewis attempted to steal a large pack of light bulbs, bacon, and frozen butterfly shrimp, summing up to $37.45, as per an arrested affidavit obtained by the outlet.
After he was arrested, Principal Gregory admitted to the crime, telling cops that his friends had suggested the shoplifting trick and that he wanted to see how it would all unfold.
“We sit around talking, ‘Hey I did this.’ Let me try and see what I can get away with,” Lewis said to an officer who wore a body cam during his arrest. “I did something dumb today and I understand it.”
After he was taken in, Lewis was booked into the Polk County Jail on a petit theft charge, according to WFLA.
Now, Lake Wales Charter Schools interim superintendent Alricky Smith says Lewis has been put on administrative leave awaiting review.
“At this time, I am unable to provide any comments on the next steps, as this matter is ongoing,” Smith wrote in a letter to trustees.
James Barker, who is a retired Polk County teacher, told WFLA that Lewis’s arrest would affect the “reputation” of all who work in education.
READ ALSO: Nigerian man explains how he survived an attack that killed his 16 friends
“Unfortunately, it’s turning our profession into a sad situation,” Barker said.
“More and more people are doing just stupid things without any regard to the consequences not only for themselves but the reputation of our profession.”
The retired teacher questioned how a middle school principal would even try such a thing in the first place and how his students would now perceive him.
“He’s the principal of the school and now he’s been caught doing this, so what example does he set for the kids?” he asked.
WFLA reports that Lewis has been the principal at Bok Tower North since August 2024, and isn’t the first school leader caught trying to underpay for goods.
Only a year ago, a principal in Japan was fired after allegedly being caught using a self-service coffee machine at a convenience store and pouring himself a large-size coffee while only paying for a regular-size coffee.
His actions were noticed by the store clerk, who stopped him and immediately called the cops.
Although the store chose not to press charges, the Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education fired him for “gross misconduct unbecoming of an educational public servant.”
For his decision, he will not receive his retirement pay, which is reportedly around $133,000.
