Cigarette thief caught 8 times on video, but not by police

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

This man, captured on surveillance video numerous times, can't kick the habit of stealing cigarettes, according to police in Tucson, Ariz.

/ KPHO

(CBS) TUCSON, Ariz. - Police hope it won't be too hard to smoke out a brazen cigarette thief who they say has struck Circle K stores in the Tucson area eight times since November, according to CBS affiliate KPHO.

The suspect has been seen on surveillance video every single time.

He has stolen more than $4,000 worth of cigarettes in recent months from Circle K stores on the northwest side of the city, Tucson police spokeswoman Sgt. Maria Hawke said.

In each incident, he enters the store and walks directly behind the cashier counter, Hawke told KPHO. He then removes packs and/or cartons of cigarettes from the display case, places them in a bag he brings with him to the store, and leaves without paying.

The "smoking bandit" is described as a man between 20 to 25 years old, 5''8" to 5'11" tall, weighing 150 to 180 pounds, and with brown hair.

In several of the crimes, the suspect was seen wearing the same jacket and/or ball cap. The cap has a large "LA" on the front and the jacket is green and black camouflage.

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