A middle school principal in Florida was arrested for shoplifting at a Walmart store in Winter Haven, Polk County, on a Saturday afternoon. Gregory Lewis, the principal of Bok Academy North, was caught by an asset protection officer while he was “skip scanning” at the self-checkout. Lewis was seen placing a bag of disposable foam plates between more expensive items in an attempt to steal them and only pay for the cheaper items.
Lewis was attempting to steal a large pack of light bulbs, bacon, and frozen butterfly shrimp, with a total value of $37.45, according to the arrest affidavit. The principal confessed to the crime during his arrest, explaining to a Winter Haven police officer that he had learned about the shoplifting tactic from his friends and wanted to try it himself.
During his arrest, which was recorded on a body camera worn by the arresting officer, Lewis admitted, “We sit around talking, ‘Hey I did this.’ Let me try and see what I can get away with. I did something dumb today and I understand it.” After his arrest, Lewis was booked into the Polk County Jail on a petit theft charge.
Following the incident, Alricky Smith, the interim superintendent of Lake Wales Charter Schools, announced that Lewis had been placed on administrative leave pending a review. Smith stated in a letter to trustees, “At this time, I am unable to provide any comments on the next steps, as this matter is ongoing.”
The incident has sparked concern among educators in Polk County. Retired teacher James Barker expressed his disappointment to local media, stating that Lewis’s actions tarnish the reputation of all educators. Barker questioned the example set by a middle school principal caught stealing, asking, “He’s the principal of the school and now he’s been caught doing this, so what example does he set for the kids?”
Lewis has been serving as the principal at Bok Tower North since August 2024. This is not the first time a school principal has been caught trying to underpay for goods. In a similar incident last year, a principal in Japan was fired for using a self-service coffee machine at a convenience store and pouring himself a large-size coffee while only paying for a regular-size coffee. The principal was fired for “gross misconduct unbecoming of an educational public servant” and did not receive his retirement pay, estimated to be about $133,000.