Fort Walton Beach robbery suspect arrested after returning to store with apology
Fort Walton Beach, Florida – A woman wanted in connection with a Fort Walton Beach area robbery was found after authorities said she returned to the same business, apologized, and offered to pay for the cigarettes she had taken days earlier.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said Tonya Jo Reiman, of Tyner Street, was arrested after deputies responded to the Tom Thumb on James Lee Boulevard. Investigators said the case began on May 9, when Reiman approached the counter with a gray sweatshirt wrapped around her hand in a way that made the clerk believe she might have a gun.
According to authorities, Reiman implied she was armed during the encounter and told the employee, “You don’t want me to hurt you do you?” She then took two packs of cigarettes and left the store without paying.
The case took an unusual turn when Reiman returned to the Tom Thumb. Officials said she apologized and offered to pay $10.26 for the two packs of cigarettes. Deputies were called to the store, where they detained her on a robbery charge.
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After being advised of her rights, investigators said Reiman admitted she had pretended to have a gun so she could rob the clerk. Authorities also said she wrote an apology letter after the incident, stating, “I’m sorry for hurting the woman and sorry for hurting all those that Jesus loves.”
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation led to Reiman’s arrest, bringing the wanted-person case to a close after she was found at the same location tied to the original robbery.
