Two people arrested for Winn-Dixie theft

A Cutler Ridge man and a Florida City woman were arrested Tuesday after they were stopped on the 18-Mile Stretch with multiple cases of Red Bull stolen from the Winn-Dixie in Key Largo.

Derrick Antwan Buford, 31, and Alexandra Angela Benton, 29, were both charged with theft.

More charges could be pending.

The Sheriff’s Office was notified of 9:22 a.m. that a man and woman had just left the Winn-Dixie, 105300 Overseas Highway, with stolen goods. A store manager stated the male suspect told her that he had a gun when she confronted the suspects in the parking lot, however no gun was seen by the manager. A different witness at the store reported seeing a gun in the man’s waistband, but declined to stay and speak to a detective.

The suspects left, northbound on U.S. 1, in a white Honda. Miami-Dade Police and the Florida Highway Patrol were called to assist as the Sheriff’s Office was not sure if the suspects were armed.

The Honda was stopped at Mile Marker 117. No gun was found. Deputies continued to look for the gun Tuesday afternoon.

There were two Winn-Dixie baskets in the trunk with multiple cases of Red Bull energy drink. Benton later told Detective Gil Gonzalez that the suspects knew someone who would buy Red Bull, so they decided to steal Red Bull. She added that they were being evicted from a hotel in Florida City and needed money.

Multiple items of clothes with the price tags still on them as well as a large, flat screen TV were also found in the Honda.

How the suspects came into possession of those items remains under investigation.

Both suspects were taken to jail.