DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was arrested and subsequently fired after police said he broke into a Daytona Beach Hooters restaurant and stole four beer taps, according to a Volusia County arrest affidavit.
Daytona Beach police said they responded around 1:26 a.m. to the restaurant located at 2100 West International Speedway Blvd. on Thursday in reference to a burglary alarm.
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According to the affidavit, an officer walked to the back of the empty parking lot of the Hooters – which was closed for the day – and saw a blue Dodge pickup truck backed into the adjacent parking lot. A man, later identified as 49-year-old David Baker, was observed outside of the truck loading something into the bed of the vehicle.
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Police said as they continued to check the business, they noticed a large glass window that was shattered on the west side of the building and glass on the ground.
According to the affidavit, the officer went to the back of the business to make contact with the suspect at which time Baker closed the vehicle door and turned his body to “conceal the majority of his body.”
The responding officer said he pointed his flashlight at Baker while calling out to him, at which time Baker produced his own flashlight and shined it towards the officer in a “blinking fashion.”
Baker then began to comply after the officer gave verbal command, according to the affidavit.
Police notified Baker that they were conducting a prowling investigation and asked him why he was behind the business. Baker told the officer that he needed to somewhere to urinate.
According to the affidavit, Baker told the officer that he was coming from a friend’s house in DeLand but was unable to provide the location. He also stated he was heading straight to his home in Palm Coast but stopped to use the bathroom.
Police said when Baker was told about the consistencies in his story, he then stated that he was looking for somewhere to eat.
The officer also noticed small pieces of broken glass on Baker’s shoes.
According to the affidavit, the manager of the Hooters was able to provide surveillance video that showed Baker walking around the parking lot around 12:48 a.m. and going inside of a large container at the back of the restaurant. Around 1 a.m., footage shows a large cinder block being thrown through the business’s window. About 10 minutes later, Baker can be seen entering the restaurant carrying a white bucket while holding a flashlight, the affidavit said.
Police said the footage showed Baker removing four beer taps and placing them in the bucket. The items were later found in the bed of Baker’s truck.
According to the affidavit, the amount of damages totaled around $2,000.
Baker was placed under arrest and taken to the Daytona Beach Police Department for processing. He faces a felony charge of burglary of a dwelling or structure causing damage over $1,000.
FHP confirmed to News 6 that Baker was terminated from his position on Friday.
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