They walked into CVS claiming to have coronavirus. They then stole Corona beer, cops say.
If a group of beer-drinking Americans thought that Coronas lead to coronavirus, there has to be a group who believe having the virus means free brews.
Well, turns out both sides were wrong.
Steven Cyriacks, 32, and Zavier Permenter, 42, are behind bars on multiple charges after cops say they walked into a Coconut Creek CVS, claimed to have COVID-19 and made off with Corona beer.
Their arrest report states Cyriacks and Permenter strolled into the pharmacy, located at 4650 West Hillsboro Blvd., at roughly 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, “claiming to ‘have the virus.’ ” They then grabbed two cases of Corona beer and some laundry detergent and then fled in a white Chevrolet van, according to Coconut Creek police.
Two officers located the vehicle traveling “at a high rate of speed” west on State Road 869 a short time later, the report reads. After the van exited on Coral Ridge Drive, the two detectives boxed them, which brought their chase to an end — or so they thought.
“Cyriacks ignored our verbal commands, [hopped out of the van] and fled on foot toward the overpass of State Road 869,” the officer wrote.
The detectives followed Cyriacks for roughly 75 yards before he eventually stopped under the overpass. By the time they caught up with Cyriacks, the 32-year-old had grown belligerent. He verbally threatened the officers several times as they tried to subdue him in the middle of the roadway, according to the report.
Police later discovered the van was stolen, leading them to tack on resisting arrest and grand theft auto to his shoplifting charge.
Permenter was charged with petit theft and being an accessory to a third-degree felony, court records show.
Jail records show both Cyriacks and Permenter are being held without bond in Broward.
A search of Florida Department of Corrections records show the two have several prior convictions. Permenter has spent more than five years in federal prison for various crimes, ranging from grand theft to robbery. Similarly, Cyriacks has served roughly two years in prison for grand theft and resisting arrest.
