Beer Thief ‘Neglected to See’ Cops

It’s not every day that a thief runs into the arms of deputies, but that’s how the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is describing an incident that took place June 22.

The scene unfolded around 8:32 p.m. Sunday as deputies stood outside a convenience store investigating an unrelated incident. As they stood there with their lights flashing, they say Emmanuel Camper, 28, walk out of the store.

That’s when deputies heard the clerk yell, “he’s stealing beer,” according to an email from Det. Larry McKinnon, sheriff’s office spokesman.

“Apparently, Camper, who was already intoxicated, neglected to see deputies standing near the doorway,” McKinnon wrote.

Camper was charged with petty theft and was booked in the Hillsborough County Jail. He remained there June 23 on $250 bond. Camper has been arrested by Hillsborough deputies a few times in the past on charges including domestic violence and tampering with a witness, according to jail records.