A trip to Disney Springs took a potentially life-changing turn for one Florida man last month after he was caught stuffing Disney Trading Pins into his shorts pockets — and then his backpack — across multiple store locations at Walt Disney World Resort‘s outdoor lifestyle complex.
The Theft
The 27-year-old was arrested on March 2 on suspicion of grand theft, a third-degree felony, after witnesses and Disney cast members observed him pocketing merchandise at DisneyStyle, a retail store in the West Side area of the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. A cast member on the floor spotted the man slipping Disney Trading Pins into the front pocket of his shorts and immediately flagged their manager, who contacted security.
What followed was a short trail through the property. Security cast members tracked the man as he stopped at a nearby Starbucks bathroom before walking to Star Wars Galactic Outpost, another Disney-owned merchandise location, where he was observed pocketing even more pins.
When Disney security and Orange County Sheriff's Deputies finally caught up with him, the 27-year-old had 50 Disney Trading Pins split between his backpack and his person. He admitted to taking them.
With tax, the haul came out to approximately $922 — enough to cross the grand theft threshold under Florida law. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and up to $5,000 in fines.
His Family Responds
Per WDWNT, the State Attorney's Office has not yet filed formal charges, so the man's identity has not been made public. His mother, however, did speak out, telling the outlet that her son “is mentally unwell and made a mistake.”
Walt Disney World Resort has not issued a public statement on the incident.
What is your favorite Disney Trading Pin in your collection? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments!
