Summary: A man in a Chewbacca costume stole money from a pair of vending machines he was in charge of maintaining.
A former Florida Fresh Vending employee threw on a Chewbacca costume and then proceeded to take money from the vending machines he previously maintained. The “Star Wars” devotee, Darren Pickrem, was arrested by police for grand theft.
Pickrem, 56, allegedly stole $623 from two vending kiosks at an office in Largo. Security cameras captured the incident. The felony report states, “The defendant was observed on video entering the above location in a ‘Chewbacca’ costume.” He had been fired by the company two months prior.
Pickrem probably thought he could get away with the crime because he was wearing a costume but the cameras got a shot of his face when he entered the building where the vending machines were located. Another bad move on his part was that employees of the office knew his face. A witness identified him “with 100 percent certainty” because “she saw him on a daily basis for two years of his employment.”
He was booked into the county jail and released on $2,000 bond. His previous arrests include indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. In both cases, Pickrem entered a no contest plea.
Pickrem is a Canadian native who once played for a junior hockey team connected with the Montreal Canadiens. His daughter is an Olympia swimmer. Sydney, 19, competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics with the Canadian team.
Do you think his daughter is embarrassed? Tell us in the comments below.
To learn more about Star Wars cases, read these articles:
- “Star Wars” Production Company Pleads Guilty to Injuring Harrison Ford
- Cast of New ‘Star Wars’ Movie Announced
Photo: flickr.com