Search on after ex-worker becomes ‘brazen’ booze thief at liquor store, cops say

EL PORTAL, Fla. – Authorities are searching for a former El Portal liquor store employee who they said robbed the store of over $40,000 worth of booze.

Police said Richard Love III was caught on camera pulling off the thefts at Big Daddy Wine & Liquors located at 8600 Biscayne Blvd. between December and January.

There has been some love lost though, as officers have been trying to track down the person they call the High Priced Big Daddy’s Booze Bandit to no avail.

“During that time the victim lost approximately $42,000,” said Detective Rene Gutierrez with El Portal police. “It’s a big deal. It’s a felony. It’s the only major chain in the village and we have to provide a service to the public.”

According to police, Love would ring up small dollar amounts and then offload the high-priced booze, and then possibly sell it right in the parking lot of the store.

“I have not seen anything like it this, it’s pretty brazen,” said Gutierrez.

El Portal police have tried to find Love and are now asking for the public’s help in locating him.

“Please turn yourself in, come to the El Portal police station,” Gutierrez said. “It’s gonna be a lot easier.”


About the Author
Rosh Lowe headshot

Reporter Rosh Lowe has been covering news for nearly two decades in South Florida. He joined Local 10 in 2021.

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