Sheriff Says Man Shoplifted With Backpack Filled With Drugs, Gun

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL -- Pasco County Sheriff's deputies arrested a 45-year-old homeless man after they said he shoplifted at the New Port Rickey Walmart while carrying a backpack filled with illegal drugs and a stolen handgun.

Kenneth James Fitch Jr. was arrested Sunday at the Walmart at 8745 State Road 54 in New Port Richey.

The store's loss prevention officer alerted the sheriff's office, which arrested Fitch as he left the store.

When they searched the backpack he was carrying, they found a loaded gun with the serial numbers filed off and a "large amount" of drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, marijuana, hydromorphone, hydrocodone, morphine sulfate, methylin, Alprazolan and Lorazepam.

He's been charged with 12 counts of possessing and trafficking illegal drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying a concealed firearm, altering a firearm and shoplifting.

Image via Pasco Sheriff

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