Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office deputies are asking the public for help identifying a man caught on video stealing from the Big O Flea Market, a sprawling weekend market that draws crowds from across the region. Investigators describe the suspect as wearing a pink shirt, jeans, and a tan-colored hat at the time of the theft, and they say anyone who recognizes him is encouraged to come forward with information.
The appeal, first reported by WPEC, comes as the sheriff's office says the man is wanted in connection with a theft captured on video at the market. Deputy Donnelly is the investigating deputy on the case and is the one receiving tips from the public, according to the outlet's report. Anyone with information about the suspect is being asked to share it, per the sheriff's office, with an on-duty supervisor forwarding tips directly to Deputy Donnelly.
A Bustling Commercial Hub With a History of Police Activity
The theft happened at the Big O Flea Market, a 22-acre commercial site at 3600 U.S. Highway 441 South that hosts more than 100 year-round vendors and opens to shoppers every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to Visit Okeechobee. The market has drawn law enforcement attention before. In March 2024, the Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force arrested four vendors during an undercover operation there, seizing 20 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms and 8.5 pounds of marijuana, as reported by Lake Okeechobee News.
Just this past February, deputies responded to the same market on a suspicious person report that led to the arrest of a 14-year-old boy found carrying a stolen Sig Sauer handgun in a backpack, according to the same outlet's report. Deputies had confronted two juveniles entering the flea market who matched descriptions tied to an earlier vehicle burglary nearby, per that account.
What Charges Could Look Like Once a Suspect Is Named
Florida law draws a clear line between misdemeanor and felony theft based on the value of what was taken. Under Florida Statute § 812.014, theft of property valued under $750 is charged as petit theft, a misdemeanor, while theft of property valued at $750 or more becomes grand theft, a felony. The exact items or value taken in this case have not been disclosed.
The circumstances of any potential case remain unclear, including whether the suspect has a prior criminal history. It remains unknown whether the flea market suspect has any prior criminal history, since he has not yet been identified.
How Deputies Are Asking the Community to Help
The appeal is directed at people who may recognize the suspect and can provide information to investigators. Such information could assist the ongoing investigation.
Okeechobee County is where the investigation is taking place, and the Big O Flea Market is the focus of the case. For now, deputies say identifying the man in the pink shirt and tan hat is the key step toward moving the flea market case forward.
