Pinellas police blotter: Man goes crazy in diaper aisle at Walmart

Diapers get on bad side of attacker

A Tarpon Springs man found trouble recently when he attacked the diaper aisle at a local Walmart.

Tarpon Springs police said Jeffrey Michael Pepin, 44, went into the Walmart at 41232 U.S. 19 N on July 26 and began ripping diapers.

Pepin did not discriminate based on age, destroying both infant and adult diapers, police said in an arrest report.

An officer wrote: "The defendant was observed on video in the adult and infant diaper sections of the store ripping open sealed bag of diapers. He was observed removing diapers from their bags and throwing the individual diapers back on the shelves."

In all, Pepin opened 28 packages of diapers, causing $342 in product damage.

When police arrested Pepin, he gave them an explanation: "Post Miranda the defendant admitted being in (the) store shopping for diapers for a dog in heat," an officer wrote in a report.

Of course.

Pepin was arrested on a criminal mischief charge.

Fire blows it for suspected pot grower

Pinellas Park police arrested a man last month after they said he tampered with his electric meter while he grew marijuana in his home.

Police discovered the grow operation after a fire started at the house, arrest reports state.

Scott Gregory Moore, 33, was arrested July 25 at a home in the 6200 block of 99th Circle N.

Police said Moore rigged the meter at his house so it would charge him for half the power he used. Inside the house, police said, they found Moore was growing marijuana using solar lights, exhaust fans and watering hoses.

He was arrested on charges of grand theft, manufacturing marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.

Social media meeting leads to robbery

A 26-year-old woman was arrested recently after she stole the briefcase and wallet of a man she had met on a social media site, Pinellas sheriff's deputies reported.

The incident occurred July 27 when a man who lives in a unit at 13608 Feather Sound Circle met Stephanie Lynn Donaldson on a "social media website," a deputy wrote in an arrest report. Reports say Donaldson is a transient but has a permanent address in New Port Richey.

Donaldson arrived at the man's home, knocked on the door and forced it open as the man was letting her in. This caused the man to fall backward. Donaldson then grabbed his briefcase and wallet, which was just inside the home, reports state.

Deputies arrested Donaldson three days later on a charge of strong arm robbery.

Compiled by Times staff writer Chris Tisch.