Man Allegedly Steals Wine, Beer, Cheese From Publix, Threatens Worker

Clerk Feared Getting Hit With Wine Bottle. Suspect Claims Publix Steals From “Recovery Community.”

BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com

DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2022 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Delray Beach resident Michael Mascuch remains in the Palm Beach County Jail late Friday afternoon following his Wednesday arrest at the Publix at 1538 South Federal Highway in Delray Beach.

According to a police report reviewed by BocaNewsNow.com, Mascuch is accused of stealing wine, cheese, and beer from the store. He apparently took the items and made no attempt to pay. As he attempted to exit the store, employees locked the doors, which allegedly led to Mascuch “causing a scene” by threatening physical harm to employees. One employee told police that “he was afraid that Mscuch was going to strike him with the bottle of wine that he stole.”

Also according to the police report, “customers stopped what they were doing and began to watch Mascuch act out.” Mascuch allegedly told police that, “he used to work at Publix and they have been stealing money from him and taking advantage of people in the recovery community.”

He is charged with “simple assault, intentionally threaten to do violence,” “retail theft,” and “breach of peace.”

Mascuch was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail at 2:27 a.m. Wednesday and remains held on $1,000 bond.