Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Henry Guzman was arrested on Monday for allegedly stealing DVDs and action figures from a Lauderdale Lakes Walmart.
Guzman, 44, is charged with several counts of misdemeanor petit theft. It is unclear if he has acquired an attorney.
According to the arrest report, Guzman, a 13-year veteran, stole items from a Walmart in Lauderdale Lakes on three separate occasions—May 2, May 9, and May 17. He was off-duty but still in uniform each time.
During the May 17 shoplifting incident, he reportedly walked into the store, entered the electronics department, took two DVDs and hid them inside his department-issued vest.
“In the toy aisle, Defendant Guzman concealed two DVDs inside his inner vest and grabbed two Marvel action figures,” the report said. Guzman reportedly paid for one action figure and set the second aside, according to the report.
“After the transaction was completed, Defendant Guzman exited the store, passing all points of sale with two DVDs concealed in his vest and one stolen action figure,” the report said.
Guzman reportedly managed to steal items valued at nearly $200, including movies such as “Dirt” and “Fifty Shades Freed,” and “Star Wars” and “Deadpool” action figures. The sheriff’s office started investigating Guzman after getting notified by Walmart.
“Absolutely no one is above the law. His actions are disgraceful, and in no way are a reflection of the good, hardworking men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office,” Broward Sheriff Scott Israel said in a press release. “I commend the work of the Public Corruption Unit for its commitment to hold deputies accountable for any criminal activity.”
Guzman has been suspended with pay, the sheriff’s office announced. He has previously been reprimanded for his involvement in a preventable car crash, sleeping on the job, and other offenses, according to local ABC affiliate WPLG.
Guzman is the latest Broward deputy to face misconduct allegations. Earlier this year, Broward deputy Scot Peterson resigned from the agency after he failed to enter the school building where Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people.
Peterson was the resource officer on duty at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Surveillance footage shows him outside the building for over four minutes while the gunman fired at students and teachers inside. The shooting lasted for six minutes.
Broward Sheriff Israel publicly lambasted Peterson, stating that the deputy should have entered the building and “killed the killer.”
“What I saw was a deputy arrived . . . take up a position and he never went in,” Israel said. “There are no words. I mean these families lost their children. We lost coaches.”
Israel’s leadership has come under intense scrutiny since the Parkland shooting. The Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies Association voted in June that it has “no confidence” in the sheriff because of how he handled the shooting. Israel dismissed the vote, calling it “inconsequential,” and refused to resign.
Florida Theft Attorney
If you are involved in a theft case, contact us to set up free initial consultation and work with one of Florida’s most experienced theft attorneys.
Source: 5.21.18 broward_deputy_stole_fifty_shades_dvd_and_deadpool_action_figures_from_walmart_cops_say.pdf