What to Know Thinking they were opioids, Peter Hans Emery mistakenly swiped “gentle laxatives” from a residence on Lake Allen Drive in Pinellas Park.

A Florida man who allegedly stole drugs from a Pinellas County home thought he was pocketing powerful opioids – but what he actually stole left him flushed.

According to an arrest affidavit, Peter Hans Emery mistakenly swiped “gentle laxatives” from a residence on Lake Allen Drive in Pinellas Park. Emery said he believed the pills were hydrocodone, a powerful narcotic, but threw them away when he realized they were “something else.”

The bottle, which was labeled hydrocodone acetaminophen, actually contained Equate laxatives meant for “gentle, dependable overnight relief," according to the affidavit. Police said Emery was caught on video breaking into a “lock box” at the victim’s home and was seen pouring the alleged "opioids" into his hands. He then left the residence with the medication.

Emery, who has an extensive rap sheet, later admitted to police that he did not have permission to take the pills. He retrieved two of the tablets from his trash to show officers. The 56-year-old faces several probation violation charges and has two prior convictions of theft.

Emery was arrested on January 24 and was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.