Alleged Shoplifter Stuffs Chainsaw Down His Pants [Surveillance Video]

A man tried to shoplift a chainsaw from a hardware store by stuffing it down his shorts according to authorities.

He now faces charges of grand theft in the incident that was captured on surveillance cameras.

In case you’re wondering, yes, this not exactly cutting-edge caper did occur in Florida.

As reported by multiple news outlets, the suspect entered Treasure Coast Lawn Equipment in Port St. Lucie and asked for change of a dollar. While he was standing at the counter (see video embedded below), he allegedly stuffed a Stihl chainsaw worth about $600 down his pants and coolly covered it with his shirt. He then left the store without paying for the item on an apparently stolen bicycle with one of the store employees in pursuit.

The employee spotted the suspect, identified as Anthony Ballard, ditching the chainsaw in a vacant lot. Responding cops initially couldn’t find him in the area although they recovered the item in question.

“About 30 to 40 minutes later, workers at Treasure Coast Lawn Equipment called 911, saying they spotted the accused chainsaw thief looking for the saw in the woods… When police apprehended Ballard, he said he stole the saw and put it in the woods.” TCPalm reported.

A store employee apparently subdued the suspect until officers arrived.

“Ballard told police he stole the tool but had a change of heart and wanted to return it,” AP added.

The reportedly homeless suspect was booked into St. Lucie County Jail on a $28,750 bond. Evidently there is another outstanding warrant on Ballard from an adjacent county in Florida.

“A chainsaw is difficult to sneak off with in broad daylight. And even more so when your master plan is to stuff it down your pants, Fox News noted. “An accused chainsaw thief in Florida employed a simple plan that involved nothing more than his shorts, shirt and a calm demeanor,” The Washington Post opined.

If the iconic actress Mae West was still around, she might have quipped, “is that a chainsaw in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”

Watch the surveillance video of the alleged chainsaw theft in Florida.

[top image via YouTube]