FL Man Peed on $10K Worth of Spam
At a glance, it looked like any other morning at Sam's Club in Lady Lake, Florida. Carts rolled by with bulk paper towels and soda. But around 9:49 a.m. on May 30, something very unusual unfolded in aisle 18 — something that would cost the store more than $10,000 in damage, and land a 70-year-old retiree in court.
The Alleged Act Caught on Camera
According to police and multiple eyewitness accounts, Patrick Francis Mitchell was seen urinating on two pallets stacked with canned meat — specifically 188 cans of Vienna sausages and 345 cans of Spam Classic. One customer acted quickly, snapping photos and alerting store employees. Surveillance footage reportedly backed up her claims, showing Mitchell approaching the pallets, placing both hands in front of him below his belt, and standing still for several seconds — "behavior consistent with urination," according to the official report, as reported by the New York Post.
Footage then captured Mitchell casually browsing the snack section, before taking a seat on some patio furniture for about 10 minutes. After his brief break, he paid for his items and left.
Patrick Francis Mitchell's mugshot. Photo courtesy of the Lady Lake Police Department. Public domain.
Identifying the Suspect
The Lady Lake Police Department was able to identify Mitchell through his Sam's Club membership — which, like most warehouse chains, requires a card scan before checkout. Investigators also matched a photo from the witness with Mitchell's driver's license photo, which led them to his home in The Villages, a well-known retirement community in Central Florida.
Mitchell was arrested on June 4, 2025, and charged with two offenses: criminal mischief resulting in over $1,000 in damages (a felony), and disorderly conduct (a misdemeanor). The contaminated cans were removed from the shelves and destroyed, amounting to $10,584.84 in lost merchandise, according to the store.
Legal Fallout
Mitchell pleaded not guilty to both charges at his June 10, 2025 court appearance and was released on a $3,000 bond. Authorities have not released any information regarding a possible motive, and no further incidents were reported.
Attempts by media outlets to reach Mitchell or his attorney for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
Community Response and What Comes Next
While the incident might inspire shock or even bemusement online, the situation has very real consequences — for the store, for customers, and for Mitchell himself. The cost of the ruined inventory is one part of the issue. The felony charge, if upheld, could carry serious legal penalties.
This case is still ongoing. Mitchell has not been convicted of any crime, and all charges remain allegations at this stage.
References: Florida Man, 70, Allegedly Peed on Over $10,000 Worth of Food at a Sam's Club. Then, He Relaxed on Store Patio Furniture | Florida man urinates on $10,500 worth of Spam and Vienna sausages at Sam's Club | Cops: Man, 70, Peed On Spam, Vienna Sausages
