Panty Raid Fail: Family Traps Alleged Burglar in Bathroom
A man allegedly went on a full-on panty raid in a Florida family's home, but his drawer dreams were dashed when the family cornered him in their bathroom.
Manuel Rodriguez, 21, was allegedly caught red-handed pocketing panties and other laundry items last weekend, Fort Myers' WBBH-TV reports.
So what's the price for stealing skivvies?
The Great Panty Purloin
In the middle of the night, the Gonzalez family suddenly awoke to a loud sound in their Naples, Florida, home. With baseball bats in tow, they went downstairs and saw a bicycle parked outside packed, oddly enough, with their laundry detergent, towels and laundry basket, WBBH reports.
Soon after, they discovered the alleged bottoms bandit in the bathroom. All of the family members piled against the door, trapping him so he couldn't get out. Authorities arrived and went into the bathroom to arrest Rodriguez, who had no weapons on him.
That's when things took a turn for the creepy: "He had my little girl's panties in his pockets and one on the sink," Gonzalez told WBBH.
At least another 21-year-old panty enthusiast who broke into someone's home had the decency to try to return the stolen undergarment goods. No such luck with Rodriguez.
Intimate Burglary, Theft Alleged
Rodriguez was arrested on charges of burglary and petit theft, according to WBBH.
A burglary occurs when a person unlawfully enters into a structure with the intent to commit a crime inside. In this case, Rodriguez allegedly entered the Gonzalez family's home without permission with the intent to commit theft -- namely, to pilfer panties.
Just like any other state, Florida state laws distinguish between petit theft and grand theft. The value of the property often determines whether the offense will be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Unless the undies were made of golden thread, chances are, Rodriguez's theft would be considered a form of petit theft.
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Related Resources:
- Florida man gets trapped in bathroom during failed panty raid (United Press International)
- Silver Spandex-Suited Burglar Sought by Mich. State Police (FindLaw's Legal Grounds)
- Bad Karma Ahead for Busted Yoga-Class Burglar? (FindLaw's Legal Grounds)
- Man Breaks Into Home to Cuddle (FindLaw's Legal Grounds)
