Police have arrested a man who they say pickpocketed a 94-year-old veteran inside a Pinecrest Publix.
Derrick Hope, 56, is charged with petit theft, grand theft, battery on a person 65 or older, and fraud, Pinecrest Police said Friday. He remained behind bars on a warrant and it was unknown if he has hired an attorney.
The incident happened Dec. 29 at the store at 13401 Pinecrest Parkway. Police said Hope stole the elderly man's wallet with $65 and credit cards inside, then rang up a $6,000 tab on the credit cards.
Hope was a person of interest in the theft and his parole officer alerted police that he was in jail on unrelated charges on March 2, officials said. He gave a full confession and was charged the next day, police said.
Police said Hope's criminal history includes robbery, resisting officers with violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.
