As every middle-schoolers is told, just because your friend does something risky it doesn’t mean you should.  

Regrettably, a middle school principal from Florida disregarded this classic advice and found himself in legal trouble after mimicking a shoplifting technique shared by a friend.

Gregory Lewis, who serves as the principal at Bok Academy North in Polk County, was apprehended for attempting to steal items totaling $37.45 from a Walmart store in White Haven one Saturday afternoon.

Following his apprehension, Lewis confessed to the theft and explained that he decided to try the method after being shown by friends how they successfully executed the act of shoplifting.

‘We sit around talking, “Hey I did this.” Let me try and see what I can get away with,’ Lewis is heard telling police on the arrest footage. 

‘I did something dumb today and I understand it,’ he said regretfully. 

According to police, Lewis had been ‘skip scanning’—a common shoplifting method where customers scan cheaper items while sneaking more expensive items through.

Walmart security observed him placing disposable foam plates between pricier items while using a self-checkout. This method is similar to the ‘banana trick’ used by shoplifters, where they scan a cheap item, like the fruit, but take a more expensive item 

Gregory Lewis was arrested for stealing $37.45 worth of goods from a Florida Walmart 

The stolen items included large pack of light bulbs, bacon and frozen butterfly shrimp.

Lewis admitted the ‘skip scanning’ offense according to an arrest affidavit.

Lake Wales Charter Schools has placed Lewis on leave pending a review, according to the interim superintendent Alricky Smith. 

‘Unfortunately, it’s turning our profession into a sad situation,’ retired Polk County teacher James Barker told News Channel 8. 

‘More and more people are doing just stupid things without any regard to the consequences not only for themselves but the reputation of our profession,’ he told the program.

‘He’s the principal of the school and now he’s been caught doing this, so what example does he set for the kids?’ 

The rollout of self-checkouts at large grocery and retail stores has been controversial as it has led to increased shoplifting and staff cuts. 

Washington State’s legislature is even debating a bill that would regulate the use of the machines in grocery stores.

The bill could force stores to employ more self-checkout attendants and integrate manned cashier stations.

The principal at Bok Academy North in Polk County has been placed on leave pending a review 

Walmart stores in Washington State could be subject to a new bill if it passes

The rollout of self-checkouts at large grocery and retail stores has been controversial as it has led to increased shoplifting and staff cuts

If passed in its current form, the bill will ask stores to implement at least one staffed checkout lane when self-checkouts are open. 

Stores would also be asked to schedule one attendant for every two self-checkout stations open in the store.

The bill would also limit state-wide self-checkout transaction to a 15-item purchase limit.

Stores that do not follow the rules could receive civil penalties of $100 per day up to $10,000. 

The proposed regulations would apply to grocery stores over 15,000 square feet in size, which would likely include many major retailers in the state including Walmart, Safeway, and others.

Bulk goods stores with memberships, such as Costco, would be exempt.

Last month, a Florida woman was caught using ‘banana trick’ to steal from Walmart.