He was arrested.
A resident of Florida, Peter Owens, found himself in legal trouble after an altercation involving a Walgreens employee on Easter Sunday. Accused of felony battery, Owens allegedly struck a Walgreens staff member with a Bible during an argument over headphones, prompting his arrest.
Shortly after his release following the Bible incident, Owens faced another arrest related to theft allegations at a Walmart in Tarpon Springs. Local reports from FOX 35 detailed the incident where Owens purportedly stole shoes and a box of Cheez-Its.
The confrontation at Walgreens unfolded late at night when Owens clashed with an employee over a purchase. Store Manager Nicole Merck intervened, demanding Owens to leave. However, before exiting, Owens allegedly struck Merck with his Bible, as documented in the Clearwater Police Department’s affidavit.
Describing the event, the criminal complaint stated that Owens used the Bible to hit Merck once before departing. Upon apprehension, Owens admitted to the assault, attributing it to the employee’s perceived rudeness, although he claimed it was unintentional.
Following his initial release on bail, Owens found himself back in custody after the Tarpon Springs Police Department arrested him for petty theft at Walmart. Allegedly, Owens took Cheez-Its and men’s shoes without paying, leading to his apprehension by Walmart’s loss prevention officer.
Reports indicated that Owens attempted to conceal the stolen items in his duffle bag after trying on the shoes. As a result, he remains in Pinellas County Jail on a bond of $150, according to recent arrest records.
In addition to his legal woes, Owens received a court order to steer clear of the Walgreens store involved in the Bible incident. This escalation to a felony charge stemmed from Owens’ prior conviction for assault and battery in 2020, as reported by The Smoking Gun.