A Florida middle school principal said he “did something dumb” after he was arrested at Walmart for trying a shoplifting tactic he claims his friends told him would work.
Bok Academy North Principal Gregory Lewis was at a Winter Haven Walmart in Polk County on Saturday afternoon when an asset protection officer observed him “skip scanning” at the self-checkout, WFLA reported.
Lewis had been caught placing a bag of disposable foam plates between more expensive items to steal them and only pay for the cheaper items.
He had tried to steal a large pack of light bulbs, bacon, and frozen butterfly shrimp, totaling $37.45, according to an arrested affidavit obtained by the outlet.
The middle school principal, who admitted to the crime, told a Winter Haven police officer during his arrest that his friends had told him about the shoplifting tactic and that he wanted to try it out for himself.
“We sit around talking, ‘Hey I did this.’ Let me try and see what I can get away with,” Lewis told an officer who was wearing a body camera during his arrest.
“I did something dumb today and I understand it.”
Following his arrest, Lewis was booked into the Polk County Jail on a petit theft charge, according to WFLA.
Lake Wales Charter Schools interim superintendent Alricky Smith said Lewis had been placed on administrative leave pending a review.
“At this time, I am unable to provide any comments on the next steps, as this matter is ongoing,” Smith wrote in a letter to trustees.
The Post has reached out to Lake Wales Charter Schools for comment.
Retired Polk County teacher James Barker told WFLA that Lewis’s actions affect the “reputation” of all who work in education.
“Unfortunately, it’s turning our profession into a sad situation,” Barker said.
“More and more people are doing just stupid things without any regard to the consequences not only for themselves but the reputation of our profession.”
The retired educator questioned how a middle school principal getting caught stealing could be perceived by Lewis’s students.
“He’s the principal of the school and now he’s been caught doing this, so what example does he set for the kids?” he asked.
Lewis has been the principal at Bok Tower North since August 2024, WFLA reported.
Lewis isn’t the first school principal caught trying to underpay for goods.
Last year, a principal in Japan was fired after allegedly being busted for using a self-service coffee machine at a convenience store and pouring himself a large-size coffee while only paying for a regular-size coffee.
The store clerk noticed, stopped the man, and immediately called the police.
While the store did not press charges, the Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education fired him for “gross misconduct unbecoming of an educational public servant.”
As a result, he will not receive his retirement pay, which is estimated to be about $133,000.
