Fry’s Customer Bans Vodka from Their Shopping List

Cedric Tate, 34, was arrested for allegedly attempting to steal $12 worth of liquor from Fry’s Marketplace in Senita. The incident occurred Friday afternoon, and Tate’s criminal actions resulted in additional charges of assault and criminal trespassing.

At approximately 3:40 p.m., police responded to reports of an active shoplifter at the store, where Tate remained even after the alleged theft.

Surveillance footage revealed interactions between Tate and a store manager who sought to reclaim one of the stolen bottles. During this encounter, Tate reportedly acted aggressively, prompting the manager to feel threatened and leading to an assault charge.

The probable cause statement detailed that Tate had concealed several mini bottles of vodka and gin in his pockets and a backpack. Specifically, he reportedly took three bottles of New Amsterdam vodka, one bottle of New Amsterdam gin, and eight bottles of Platinum 7X vodka—three of which he consumed before police arrived.

Store employees attempted to persuade Tate to leave, but he chose to linger and engage with them instead. Officers responding to the scene noted a strong smell of alcohol and observed that he appeared highly intoxicated, often talking to himself.

Tate is now facing four misdemeanor charges: shoplifting, criminal trespassing, and two counts of assault. All this stemmed from an incident involving just $12.80 worth of liquor.