Ex-Deputy Caught Stealing $800 Worth of Groceries From Publix—While Working as Security!

A former DeKalb County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested and charged with felony shoplifting after allegedly stealing more than $800 worth of groceries from a Publix where he was working as an off-duty security officer.

Morris Bailey, who had been with the department since 2022, was taken into custody on February 6, 2025. According to investigators, Bailey was involved in multiple thefts at the Glenwood Avenue Publix in Atlanta’s East Lake neighborhood throughout 2024.

How It Happened

Court records reveal that Bailey didn’t act alone. He reportedly conspired with several Publix employees to carry out the thefts. The scheme involved Bailey going through the self-checkout line, where an accomplice would pretend to scan his items before voiding the transaction. To make it look legitimate, Bailey would tap his phone as if he were paying—but no money was ever deducted.

This trick allegedly worked at least four times before Publix employees caught on. The store launched an internal investigation, reviewed surveillance footage, and eventually confronted Bailey and his accomplices. Both Bailey and the employees reportedly admitted to their roles in the thefts.

Fired & Charged

Once the investigation wrapped up, Bailey was immediately fired from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. He now faces two felony charges: one for violating his oath of office and another for shoplifting. His law enforcement certification has also been suspended.

A Growing Trend in Publix Thefts?

Bailey’s case is just one of several recent shoplifting incidents at Publix stores.

In November 2024, a Florida man named Andrew Sylvester was arrested after committing two felony thefts at a Publix in Lakeland within just 15 minutes. Similarly, in September 2018, police in Tallahassee were searching for a woman who filled a shopping cart with groceries and simply walked out without paying.

However, not all shoplifting cases end in criminal charges. In 2013, Miami-Dade Police Officer Vicki Thomas responded to a similar theft but chose a different approach. She discovered that the suspect, Jessica Robles, was a struggling mother who had stolen groceries to feed her children. Instead of arresting her, Officer Thomas paid for $100 worth of groceries and connected her with local food banks.

A Breach of Trust

Law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard, and cases like Bailey’s can shake public trust. While most officers dedicate their lives to protecting and serving, incidents like this highlight the importance of accountability. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office has not yet issued a public statement regarding the arrest.

As Bailey awaits trial, his case serves as a reminder that no one is above the law—especially those sworn to uphold it.