Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are asking for the public’s help in a retail theft.

On Friday, October 5, 2018 around 3:00 PM, a man stole money from the Racetrac at 6650 US Hwy 98 N in Lakeland.   

The suspect is described as an older black male wearing khaki pants, a striped polo and a baseball cap. He bought a $3.00 lottery ticket, then used a distraction technique to confuse the clerk.

The suspect was able to illegally obtain $150.00 from the cash register using this technique. The suspect then left the business in an older model red BMW.

The man and another unknown black male were reported to have done the same distraction technique at a Racetrac in Winter Haven on the same date as this incident.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Detective J. Leblanc at 863-577-1600 or 863.577.1614.