Two Mississippi Coast men behind viral $1,500 ‘beef heist,’ Slidell police say
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- Police stopped two Mississippi men with $1,500 in stolen beef and snacks.
- Officers discovered ribeye steaks, brisket and other goods during a traffic stop.
- Both suspects face felony theft charges and have extensive shoplifting records.
Two Mississippi Coast men were arrested Tuesday evening, after they were found with $1,500 of stolen ribeye steaks and beef brisket in their vehicle during a traffic stop, according to the Slidell Police Department.
Officers pulled over John Garriga, 55, of Gulfport, and Charles Walker, 66, of Biloxi, for a brake light violation and noticed both men appeared “unusually nervous” during the stop, police said.
During the stop, police discovered the meat, which they said was stolen from a nearby Walmart Neighborhood Market. Other stolen items include hamburger buns, CheeWees and a Lays potato chip variety pack, according to police.
Both men were booked on charges of felony theft and possession of stolen property. Slidell police say both suspects have a history of shoplifting offenses.
“With shoplifting records longer than a CVS receipt, we don’t see any cookouts happening in their immediate future,” Slidell Police said in a Facebook post.
Slidell Police Sergeant Jake Morris said he’s never encountered an arrest like this before.
“We see a bunch of unique situations, but this was a first of its kind,” Morris said. “Stealing never pays off, even if you happen to make it out the store. You can even make it home, eventually you’re going to get caught.”
This story was originally published July 31, 2025 at 10:08 AM.
