'High stakes' theft in Fort Pierce

FORT PIERCE, Fla. - In terms of alleged meat crimes, this one was fairly high stakes.

Eight packages of steaks valued at $131.68 -- all said to have been jammed in Louis Overstreet's pants, according to a recently released arrest affidavit.

Overstreet, 54, is accused Jan. 7 of absconding with the mega-meat bounty from a Publix in the 2500 block of South U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce. A Fort Pierce police officer nabbed the accused meat marauder and found him with steaks "stuffed within his pant legs."

Prices per package ranged from $13.72 to $19.66, though the price per pound wasn't listed.

A loss prevention official apparently told a general manager that Overstreet was hiding steaks in his trousers, which some might argue could make him a prime candidate for closer scrutiny.

The general manager tried to confront Overstreet outside. The efforts apparently didn't meet with success as Overstreet reportedly pushed the general manager and fled. The general manager also stated Overstreet might have had a knife.

Overstreet requested legal representation, but he made what might be considered a searing statement, "Man, I just stole some steaks, that's all."

Police say Overstreet, of the 900 block of Fra Mar Place in Fort Pierce, used force and arrested him on a felony robbery charge.

Overstreet was taken to the St. Lucie County jail, where an official said steaks are not served to inmates, make no bones about it.