Boca Cops Nab Shoplifter, Linked to High-End Bike Theft at Publix

Gray Gedeon (Photo: Palm Beach County Jail)

Boca Raton police have charged a city man with grand theft after establishing a link between a simple shoplifting case at one of the city’s Publix supermarkets and the earlier theft of a valuable bicycle.

Gray Gedeon, 38, was trespassed from the Publix store at the Mercado Real shopping center, located at 1001 S. Federal Highway, after a store manager allegedly caught the man shoplifting soup and a snack from the prepared food area of the store. No criminal charges were pressed by the store, however personnel told police that they believed the same man was responsible for the theft of a Electra Townie Path 9D bicycle from the same store on Oct. 27, which was stolen along with a locking device.

According to a police report, surveillance footage from the incident showed the suspect “walking southbound past the bicycle and, at approximately 11:29 [a.m.], taking the bicycle and riding southbound from the business.” The investigating officer said Gedeon was positively identified from the surveillance video. During questioning, Gedeon is alleged to have admitted taking the bicycle before giving the officer the key of the bike lock that was in his pocket.

Gedeon, the report said, voluntarily led officers to the location of the bicycle, where a serial number matched the stolen item, which was worth approximately $1,150. They key matched the bike’s lock, the report said. The bicycle was ultimately returned to its owner.

Gedeon was charged with grand theft of property valued between $750 and $5,000. He was booked at the Palm Beach County Jail and later released on $1,000 bond.