Florida Man Accused Of Stealing 4 Million Pounds Of Citrus

The Florida man allegedly picked the fruit from three companies and two private groves, but never paid for more than $500,000 in fruit, authorities say.

Associated Press

A Florida man was arrested after allegedly stealing more than 4 million pounds of oranges and grapefruits.

The citrus was worth more than $500,000, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Polk County Sheriff's Department

Authorities allege Bradley D. Reiter took the more than 46,000 boxes of citrus from three companies and two Florida residents who owned groves.

Starting in March 2014, Reiter allegedly signed contracts with the Florida companies for the fruit, but never paid.

He also went into a private grove and gave the owner a check for 180 boxes of fruit, but the check only covered about half the cost, according to the agency.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also alleges Reiter was not a licensed citrus dealer when he went into the groves.

Reiter was booked into Polk County Jail on Thursday on suspicion of grand theft, dealing with citrus without a license, and scheming to defraud.