LAKE WORTH CORRIDOR, Fla. (CBS12) — A woman is facing charges of grand theft and impersonating a law enforcement officer after she allegedly attempted to steal more than $1,300 worth of merchandise from a Publix in Lake Worth Corridor while pretending to be a deputy.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO), deputies responded on February 3 to a shoplifting report at the Publix located at 7745 Lake Worth Road. The store manager reported witnessing Yazmin Smith, 35, discreetly filling reusable bags with a variety of items, including health and beauty products, groceries, and household goods, rather than using a shopping cart.
The probable cause affidavit states that Smith attempted to hide the bags behind a Hallmark display while continuing to shop. After filling multiple bags, she pushed two full carts toward the store’s front exit.
When confronted by the store manager, Smith allegedly claimed to be a deputy with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, though she failed to produce any official ID. According to witnesses, she bypassed all checkout lanes and attempted to leave without paying.
Two assistant managers joined the store manager in confronting Smith at the exit. Despite her insistence that the items were hers before entering the store, surveillance footage revealed that she arrived without any bags.
In total, deputies say Smith attempted to steal $1,315.29 worth of merchandise. She was arrested and is now facing charges of grand theft and false personation of a law enforcement officer.
