Fill out this form to email this article to a friend

Your name		Your email
Recipient email	You may enter up to 20 multiple email addresses, separated by commas.
Your message
Validation Code	Hear validation code
	Enter validation code

We were unable to send your email.

Click here to try again.

Forklift operator accused of stealing $50,000 worth of bottled water

By Joel Anderson, Times Staff Writer
In print: Monday, September 8, 2008

Story Tools E-mail this story Contact the editor Print this story Comment on this story Social Bookmarking Digg Facebook Stumbleupon Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine

ADVERTISEMENT Loading Video...

ZEPHYRHILLS — Officers have arrested a forklift operator at the Nestle Bottled Water Co. on charges of stealing $50,000 worth of bottled water from the company's warehouse in Zephyrhills.

According to the arrest report, Michael Gordon Fernandes, 26, of Zephyrhills and an unidentified person stole five truckloads of bottled water from the warehouse at 4330 20th St. over a period of six weeks.

Fernandes told officers he loaded pallets of bottled water intended to stay in the warehouse onto the person's semitrailer truck. The thief would then take the pallets to an unknown location, the report said. Fernandes later told Zephyrhills police that he was paid $500 per truckload, doing it only so he could financially support his family.

Fernandes was arrested Saturday at the warehouse and booked into the Pasco County jail in Land O'Lakes. He was charged with grand theft of more than $20,000.

Fernandes was released from jail later Saturday after posting $10,000 bail.