Police: Career criminal busted stealing cologne

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Palm Bay man is behind bars after police say he stole cologne from a Kmart eight times in the past year.

Police said Clark King, 49, already has an extensive criminal history with 34 cases filed against him in the past and 17 convictions.

Police said King would go to the Palm Bay retailer and tuck bottles of designer cologne under a sweatshirt and walk out the front door without paying for them. However, police said, surveillance cameras recorded King each and every time.

Police reports don't indicate why he only targeted cologne or if he was selling the stolen fragrances somewhere.

King's criminal history dates back to 1988. Since then, King has been locked up in state prison 10 times, spending a year or two behind bars before getting out and getting busted again.

King most recently served time for an armed robbery in Orange County.

"So, it appears that this individual has no regard for law and order. It appears he has been out of the prison system for the same type of crime and hasn't been dealt with. And all we can do as a law enforcement agency is continue to arrest him," said Palm Bay police spokeswoman Yvonne Martinez.

Police have requested prosecutors charge King with third-degree felonies for each theft.

The State Attorney's Office said the arrests will be reviewed before making a final determination on charges. A third-degree felony carries a maximum penalty of five years under Florida law.

WFTV