Surveillance video that shows Clearwater Fire and Rescue assistant fire chief Ron Gemsheim pocketing an energy drink from a 7-Eleven while on duty in February was released to Bay News 9 through a public records request.

Surveillance video showing alleged theft by Clearwater assistant fire chief at the time released



Clearwater assistant fire chief Ron Gemsheim resigned position following misdemeanor theft charge

Gemsheim entered not guilty plea, court hearing scheduled for June 9

The video shows Gemsheim walking into the convenience store located at 657 Court Street on Feb. 22 at 6:55 a.m. wearing his CFR uniform, a white polo shirt and black pants. Gemsheim fills up two complimentary fountain drinks, walks by the cooler, then turns up an aisle and sets one fountain drink on the ground. The video then shows Gemsheim grab a 5-Hour Energy drink off the shelf and quickly place the item in his front right pocket.

Surveillance video shows Gemsheim goes straight to the counter, chats with the clerk and walks out of the 7-Eleven without paying for the $3.29 energy drink. Store manager Thomas Bryan told police he confronted Gemsheim in the parking lot about the theft and saw the assistant fire chief attempt to discard the energy drink into his vehicle but instead it fell on the ground.

Bryan told Gemsheim to return the energy drink, which he did by placing the stolen item on the front counter and offered to pay for it the next day. An offer that Bryan refused and told Gemsheim never to return to the store again. According to a Clearwater police report, Bryan had watched Gemsheim closely because he suspected the assistant fire chief had stolen an item three days earlier.

A police officer interviewed Gemsheim at Clearwater Fire and Rescue Station 45 about six hours after the incident and noted he was wearing the same clothes as the man seen on the surveillance video. Gemsheim stated he was worried about his employment and wasn't sure what to do, according to the report. Police said after being presented with the facts in the case, Gemsheim decided to provide a reason for the theft stating it was an accident and he forgot to pay for the energy drink.

When asked if he was confronted by the store manager outside the business, Gemsheim did not reply, according to the report. Police said Gemsheim, who earned about $85,000 a year, did tell investigators that he had money to pay for the item. Gemsheim was issued a notice to appear for misdemeanor theft. One week later, Gemsheim resigned his position with Clearwater Fire and Rescue. He had been with the department for 10 years.

Bryan told police that the store owner, Jaqualyne El Nasser was very upset about the incident and wanted the store manager to press charges. Police noted that on the surveillance video, it appears Gemsheim was looking around to see where the clerks were located prior to taking the energy drink. Additionally, Gemsheim is observed adjusting the small item in his right front pants pocket twice during the conversation with the clerk at the cashier counter, according to the report.

Gemsheim entered a not guilty plea and has a court hearing scheduled for June 9.