Florida man had hours-long junk food binge in closed Walgreens, police say

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- A Florida man was arrested after he indulged in sweets and other various items inside a closed Walgreens for several hours early Monday morning, according to police.

The New Smyrna Beach Police Department was called to a local Walgreens around 3 a.m. after the store's alarm went off. The alarm company told authorities a man was inside the store, which had been closed since 10 p.m.

Security footage showed the man, Christopher Morgan, enter the Walgreens at 9:40 p.m. and go into the restroom. He did not come out until 2:42 a.m.

After being in the restroom for nearly five hours, police said, Morgan began roaming around the store "treating himself" to various items, such as Tostitos spinach dip, chips, Reese’s chocolate, Ghirardelli chocolate bars, Dr. Pepper and Newport cigarettes.

When officers arrived, they saw Morgan through the front doors taking a pack of cigarettes from behind the counter.

Body camera footage shows officers helping the man unlock the store's doors from inside with the security alarms blaring in the background. Police said Morgan made no attempts to exit the store or call for help to get out.

Morgan was arrested after exiting the Walgreens. An officer can be heard asking if there was anyone else inside the store and Morgan said he didn't know.

"I came in here to use the bathroom," Morgan told officers.

According to the police department, Morgan "resisted efforts" to place him in the patrol car. He also spit on an officer after being placed in the vehicle.

He was arrested for burglary of an unoccupied structure, larceny - petit theft, resisting an officer without violence and battery on a law enforcement officer.