30-year-old Polk County firefighter tried to steal $165 worth of Pokemon cards

Deputies said a local firefighter was caught stealing Pokemon cards at a Walmart on Thursday. A 30-year-old Polk County firefighter, Joel C.V. Strickland was caught switching barcodes on higher-priced packs of cards with those on lower-priced packs by staff at the Walmart.

Reports say the stolen cards worth $165. Strickland allegedly told the deputies that he planned to “flip” the cards to make extra money because he was struggling financially.

“Help is a phone call away,” Chief Jim Elensky said in a press release about the arrest. “If you are struggling, there are a myriad of resources available. As public safety employees, we are expected to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the respect our communities show us.”

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