Surveillance video reveals more than tip jar money being stolen from Naples business

The owner of Naples Extreme Family Fun Spot at Bayfront says surveillance video captured a man reportedly stealing cash from an employee's tip jar.

According to the business, the incident happened on Wednesday, July 1.

Surveillance video shows a shirtless man entering the store and browsing merchandise. The man reportedly grabbed a T-shirt, tried on a pair of sunglasses, bundled the items together and stuffed them in his pants.

At the time, employees believed only the money from the tip jar had been stolen.

While reviewing the surveillance video with Gulf Coast News, the owner realized the man also reportedly stole merchandise that employees hadn't noticed was missing.

The video then shows the man returning inside the store, where he tries on several hats before reportedly appearing to conceal one in his pants.

The man then waits for an employee to finish a phone call and asks to borrow a bike pump. While the employee goes to the back of the store to retrieve it, surveillance video appears to show the man reportedly reaching into the employee's tip jar and taking cash.

"It sucks," said Akim Akkermantsev, president of Naples Extreme Family Fun Spot. "Most importantly, he abused somebody's kindness."

The owner estimates less than $50 was taken from the tip jar but said the amount isn't what bothered him most.

He said the money belonged to employees, who rely on customer tips even more during the slower summer months when business slows and work hours are reduced.

"These guys are actually making a living. Their hours and overtimes and everything has shrunk, so they have less hours. And less tips because tips come from the customers," Akkermantsev said.

Akkermantsev said he initially wasn't planning to report the theft because the amount of money taken was relatively small. However, after surveillance video of the incident was shared online and gained attention, he decided to contact law enforcement.

Naples police took a report on Wednesday and are investigating.