Smokey the Bear arrests man for allegedly stealing his signs in Florida to sell on Facebook: 'Dumb criminals'
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Smokey the Bear helped law enforcement arrest a man for stealing his signs from across Florida and selling them on Facebook Marketplace.

The suspect was posting the signs on Facebook Marketplace for $1,900 apiece, according to Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

“What happens when dumb criminals poke the bear?” Simpson wrote Wednesday on social media.

“Our Ag Law Team has a suspect in custody who traveled from Pensacola to Orlando stealing Smoky Bear signs from our state forests and selling them on Facebook Marketplace for $1,900 each,” he continued. “Big thank you to Smokey the Bear for personally assisting in the arrest.”

Smokey the Bear giving a thumbs up

The suspect was posting the signs on Facebook Marketplace for $1,900 apiece. (Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson)

“[Smokey] goes to schools, he’s known by our children, he’s known by our families, he is known throughout the United States,” Simpson added. “Who goes and steals an image of Smokey the Bear and then tries to profit off of that?”

The state has boosted efforts to prevent forest fires, which destroyed 24,000 acres last year. 

The Agriculture Department, which has a law enforcement division, did 277,000 acres of controlled burns last year, spent $93 million on upgraded equipment and dispatched Smokey to remind residents how they can prevent forest fires, according to Fox 13.

Smokey the Bears holding shovels

The suspect, whose identity was not released, was transported to jail following his arrest. (Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson)

“If you’re going to go in and commit crimes in our forests, you probably need to find a different place,” Simpson told the outlet. “Not only will you find smoke in some of those forests, but you’ll find our car officers.”

“We’re the most pro-law enforcement state in the union,” he said. “Smokey Bear is on the job also.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Oklahoma troopers, ICE detain 120 illegal immigrants in three-day interstate enforcement sweep

Oklahoma troopers, ICE detain 120 illegal immigrants in three-day interstate enforcement sweep

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Officials from U.S. Immigration…
Senate rejects dueling government funding bills on Day 6 of shutdown

Senate Declines Competing Funding Proposals as Government Shutdown Continues for Sixth Day

The Senate on Monday pushed the government shutdown to the one-week mark…
Jilly Cooper, British author of bestselling risqué novels including 'Rivals', has died at 88

Jilly Cooper, acclaimed British author known for her popular and provocative books like ‘Rivals’, passes away at 88

British author Jilly Cooper, known for her bestselling risqué novels including “Rivals”…
Crowd sets Boston police car on fire with fireworks

Fireworks ignite Boston police car as crowd looks on

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
Engineer found dead with no NECK at girlfriend's storybook cottage

Engineer Discovered Deceased Without Neck at Girlfriend’s Storybook Cottage

An engineer was found dead with ‘no neck’ at his girlfriend’s storybook…
Taylor Swift was miserable writing 'Tortured Poets Department'

Taylor Swift’s Struggles While Writing ‘Tortured Poets Department’

A torturous process. Taylor Swift recently shared her varied experiences creating her…
Cheerleader who 'hid dead baby' seen in pajamas during house arrest

Cheerleader in House Arrest for ‘Concealing Infant’s Body’ Spotted in Pajamas

University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling has appeared in public for the…
Taylor Swift's 'The Official Release Party of a Show Girl' debuts at No. 1 with $33 million

Taylor Swift’s ‘The Official Release Party of a Show Girl’ Tops Charts with $33 Million Opening

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This weekend’s box office belonged to two undeniable…