Florida Man Strips in a HomeGoods, Tells Police His Clothes Were Smoking
A woman shopping at a Florida HomeGoods reportedly got an apology before a man standing in her aisle dropped his pants.
The shopper told police that Billy Gene Thomas, 43, walked into the aisle where she was standing and said, “I’m sorry, I have to do this,” before exposing himself. A store employee also reported seeing Thomas without clothes inside the Cape Coral store, Gulf Coast News reported, citing the Cape Coral Police Department.
Officers had been called to the HomeGoods on Del Prado Boulevard South at about 10:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, following reports of a fully nude man inside. By the time they arrived, Thomas had reportedly walked toward a nearby Aldi, where officers found him standing near the entrance.
As officers detained Thomas and walked him toward a patrol car, they spotted a pair of white shoes and underwear near the HomeGoods entrance. Thomas reportedly claimed the items were his and told officers his clothes had started smoking. He also said the bicycle he had been riding was smoking, but police reportedly never found a bicycle.
Something Was Smoking
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Whatever happened to the missing bicycle, Thomas did make it to the Lee County Jail.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office booking records show he was booked at 12:49 p.m. on a charge listed as indecent exposure, exposure of sexual organs, first offense. His bond was set at $1,500.
The jail record listed Thomas as still in custody Tuesday evening.
Next Stop
Thomas is scheduled to appear in Lee County Court on Sept. 29.
The charge is an allegation. Thomas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
