Suspects Give New Meaning to 'Beer Run'

Edward Carpenter and Timothy Becker gave a whole new meaning to the expression “beer run,” according to a report filed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office concerning a theft June 6 at a distributing company in Palm River, just west of Greater Brandon.

According to the report, some 29 cans of beer (more specifically, Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider), valued at about $80, were stolen from J.J. Taylor Distributing in Tampa, at 5102 South 16th Ave.

Law enforcement officers arrived on the scene at about 12:05 a.m., where they reportedly witnessed a burglary in process. Carpenter and Becker “intentionally, crawled under a fence, and while on the property stole approximately 29 cans of beer from a warehouse dock,” according to the report.

Becker, 47, of 2124 South 78th St. in Tampa, reportedly was found on the deck and arrested. He was charged with petit theft, trespass on property, and burglary of an occupied structure.

Carpenter, 20, of 1507 Julian Lane Dr., was arrested after his truck became stuck on the nearby CSX railroad tracks, according to the report. He was charged with petit theft, trespass on property, burglary of an occupied structure, two counts of grand theft (VOP) and burglary of an unoccupied structure (VOP).

(VOP stands for "violation of probation.")

The report noted that the hard apple cider had been recovered.