A Florida man was arrested Saturday for allegedly stealing $300 in houseware goods from Kmart, days after he reportedly bought a private island for $8 million.
According to the Miami Herald, Andrew Francis Lippi, 59, was charged with grand theft for stealing a Keurig coffeemaker, a Hamilton Beach coffeemaker, eight light bulbs, and a bed skirt from a Kmart in Key West. Police have accused Lippi of purchasing the items between March 30 and April 5 and returning the boxes with other items inside.
While Lippi reportedly denied to police that he switched out the items, they accused him of putting a basketball in the Keurig’s box, putting an older-model coffeemaker in the Hamilton Beach box, switching out the light bulbs, and returning a pillowcase instead of the bed skirt, according to the Herald.
Lippi reportedly claimed he got home and discovered the pillowcase in the package instead of the bed skirt. He denied stealing the items, telling the outlet that his arrest stemmed from a “commercial dispute.”
A week before his arrest, Lippi reportedly purchased Thompson Island, which is located off of Key West and was previously home to late philanthropist Edward B. Knight. Lippi also owns a mansion in Key Haven where MTV’s “Real World” cast lived for its 17th season in 2006. Lippi is said to rent the waterfront home on Airbnb for $999 a night.
Lippi was released from custody without posting bond. He’s scheduled to appear in court on April 18.
[Featured image: Andrew Lippi/Monroe County Sheriff’s Office]
