Man drives off with coronavirus vaccines meant for Plant City distribution

PLANT CITY — Police are searching for a man who stole a car with vials of the coronavirus vaccine inside.

The theft occurred about 4 p.m. Wednesday from the Red Parking Lot at the Strawberry Festival Grounds, 2805 W. Reynolds St., Plant City police said in a news release.

The car is a 2018 gray Hyundai Accent with Florida license plate NPJJ58. The keys had been left in the ignition, according to a police report. Thirty vials of the vaccine valued at $10,000 were inside, properly refrigerated in a cooler, the report said.

The suspect is described as a thin, light-skinned man in his early 20s, with long hair, wearing a light-colored hoodie. Police released a short video showing the man walking at the festival grounds, the vaccine distribution site for Plant City.

A nationwide alert was issued about the theft.

Anyone with information was asked to call Detective Mark Dunnam at 813-757-9200.

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