Man buys $11 million island then steals from Kmart
A man who had just bought an $11 million island has been arrested for participating in a “scheme” to steal $420 in household items from Kmart, police say.
Officials at Kmart called police last Friday after they say Andrew Francis Lippi, 59, had purchased several items, including a coffeemaker and light bulbs.
But he then returned the original boxes for a refund, but placed other items inside, according to police. Kmart officials said a basketball was inside the coffee machine box.
The store’s loss prevention officer provided detectives with video of Lippi buying and returning all of the items between March 30 and April 5, according to an arrest report.
The Miami Herald reports Lippi bought Thompson Island, off Key West – part of the Florida Keys archipelago – for $AU11.2 million, which had been the home to the family of philanthropist Edward B Knight.
Lippi also owns the ‘Real World’ house in Key West, where MTV shot its 17th season in 2006.
Lippi told detectives he did not change out any of the items before returning them. According to the arrest report, Lippi also told detectives the clerk should have known there was no coffee maker inside the box because of its weight.
He also told officers he returned the light bulbs because they cost too much and he did not realise they’d been switched.
Paraplegic man’s devastating injuries during daily coffee run
Muffin Break manager took expired ham out of bin to ‘avoid wastage’
Lippi was charged with theft, jailed, and issued a trespass warning to stay away from Kmart. Jail records show he was released on Sunday.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
