The Martin County Sheriff's Office has released surveillance video that investigators say shows a Port St. Lucie man stealing thousands of dollars worth of tequila from a local liquor store. According to deputies, 31-year-old Michael Ruiz was caught on camera stuffing bottles of tequila into a backpack while inside the store.
The video also allegedly shows Ruiz entering a storage room, grabbing three cases of tequila and walking out without paying. Authorities say the stolen alcohol was worth thousands of dollars. Ruiz was later arrested in neighboring St. Lucie County on unrelated charges after police said he was driving under the influence.
Investigators believe Ruiz may be connected to several other recent tequila thefts reported across the area and are continuing to look into those cases. The Martin County Sheriff's Office released the surveillance footage as part of its investigation and is asking anyone with information about similar incidents to contact law enforcement.