Amidst Toilet Paper Runs, Florida Man Busted

MARCH 11--As the coronavirus scare prompts panicked runs on toilet paper worldwide, a Florida Man was arrested yesterday for the 1 AM theft of some two-ply bath tissue from a neighbor’s vehicle, according to court records.

Police allege that Safraz Shakoor, 25, burglarized a Dodge truck parked in the driveway of a residence a few blocks from his Clearwater home.

Shakoor, cops say, was recorded on a Ring video surveillance camera entering the unlocked truck’s backseat and swiping “a roll of toilet paper from a 6-pack of Smart & Simple bath tissue.”

A pack of the toilet paper--perhaps the cheapest brand on the market--sells for $1 at Dollar General (though the retailer is currently out of stock, according to its web site). The product is described as “Made in the USA from 100% recycled fiber.”

The truck’s owner told police that the toilet paper thief was a “tall male with a gray hoodie,” an arrest affidavit notes. In short order, deputies located a suspect--later identified as the 6’ 4”, 230-pound Shakoor--matching that description at a nearby home.

“Defendant consented to search of his person and a single roll of toilet paper was found in his right front pocket,” cops say. The seized item matched the Smart & Simple toilet paper swiped from the Dodge. During post-arrest questioning, Shakoor “denied entering vehicle.”

Pictured above, Shakoor was arrested on a felony burglary charge and booked into the county jail on $5000 bond. Shakoor’s rap sheet includes multiple convictions for possession and sale of marijuana and theft. (1 page)