Man hid pair of shoes down his pants while stealing from Lee County TJ Maxx store, deputies say

A man was arrested on Wednesday after being accused of stealing from a Villas TJ Maxx store in February. According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office warrant for arrest, deputies responded to the TJ Maxx on Cypress Lake Drive on February 12 for a theft that had occurred on February 11. Deputies met with an asset protection manager who told them that a man wearing a black hat, black shirt, and black jacket had passed all points of sale with a cart full of merchandise and left the store without paying. The total estimated value of the stolen merchandise was $782.75. Deputies reviewed video surveillance, which showed a man entering the store, grabbing a cart, and then putting a black piece of luggage into the shopping cart, the warrant said. Video then shows the man making his way to the men's department and taking a black backpack and removing the Electronic Article Surveillance tag with pliers. The video continues, showing a man taking three "Army" printed bags and placing them in the cart, the warrant said. The man is also seen taking a pair of Nike boxers and additional clothes. The man then made his way to the women's footwear section, where he is seen on video taking a pair of Michael Kors sandals. The man is then seen in the home department, where he conceals a pair of shoes down the front of his pants, the warrant said. Video shows the man taking additional clothing items and then heading to the front of the store, the warrant said. The man is seen waiting for the manager to walk away from the entrance, and then leaving the store without paying for any of the merchandise. Through investigation, deputies identified the man in the surveillance video as Fernando Reina Pinto, 50, LCSO said. On Wednesday, Reina Pinto was arrested. He faces charges of grand theft and possession of an anti-shoplifting device. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV