Former Florida trooper accused of stealing beer taps from Daytona Beach Hooters
(Photo By Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A former Florida Highway Patrol trooper was arrested after he allegedly threw a cinder block into the window of a Hooters restaurant and stole four beer taps last week.
David Baker, 49, was arrested and charged with felony burglary after the incident that unfolded at Hooters in Daytona Beach just before 1:30 a.m. on March 28, according to an arrest affidavit from the Daytona Beach Police Department. FHP fired Baker that same day after being employed for nine years, a spokesperson for the agency told FOX 35.
Florida man accused of stabbing, punching men during heated religious debate at gas station
Last Thursday, police were dispatched to Hooters in response to a burglary alarm. When they arrived, a "suspicious" vehicle was spotted in the parking lot, and a man – later identified as Baker – was seen loading items into the bed of his truck, the affidavit said. Additionally, police found a large glass window at the restaurant was shattered with lots of glass on the ground.
Florida man accused of whacking Walgreens manager in face with Bible on Easter Sunday
Police spoke with Baker, who said he was "looking for somewhere to ‘take a piss,’" the affidavit said. His story changed a few times, telling police that he was actually on his way home from a friend's house, or that he was looking for somewhere to eat. Police, using a license plate recognition system, were able to determine that Baker was at several locations earlier that night which "contradicted" his story, the affidavit said.
Baker also had glass shards all over his shoes, the affidavit said.
He was detained as police continued to investigate.
Florida man out on bond accused of speeding with body out of sunroof: 'I got to go to jail again?'
A Hooters manager shared surveillance video from inside the restaurant to police, which showed Baker allegedly walking around the parking lot just before 1 a.m. and going inside a rear part of the building. Then, a large cinder block was thrown through the window and 10 minutes later, Baker went inside the restaurant, the affidavit said.
While inside the Hooters, Baker was seen walking around with a white bucket and a flashlight, the surveillance video showed. He allegedly went behind the bar, removed four beer taps and put them inside the white bucket. He then loaded them into the bed of his truck.
Florida man accused of shooting roommate 10 times during argument about cats
Hooters said the estimated damage to the property was $2,000, not including the four stolen beer taps valued at $20 each, the affidavit said.
Baker was taken into custody.