Tampa Police Department (screenshot by Creative Loafing Tampa)



Here's a tip: don't steal from businesses, it's against the law. Here's another one: if you do decide to be an asshole, don't do it in front of security cameras.

People do a lot of dumb shit on 7th Avenue in Ybor City, but these goons are taking home the golden dunce hat this week. On Monday, Tampa Police shared crystal-clear video of some half-baked wet bandits taking about $1,000 worth of cigars off the shelves at Long Ash Cigars.

The clip is about a minute long, and finds the crew of idiots crowding the inventory before at least one of them (the youngest-looking, mind you) puts a handful of stogies in his trousers. According to the video, the "heist" happened at 5:56 p.m. As of this writing, the clip has been shared more than 2,000 times and viewed 101,673 times.

I'm still ROFL-ing at the look on the guys' faces, but TPD tickled me extra with this caption: "Help us smoke out these cigar thieves from their hiding place and you could earn up to $3K in cash."

Anyone with info is asked to pass along your anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay online or by phone by calling 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). The case no. is 18-446537.

Watch the clip below.