Deputies arrest Black Friday shopper

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Escambia County Deputies said a woman was arrested Thanksgiving night, November 22, in Wal-Mart on Blue Angel Parkway in Pensacola.

Beth Suarez said shoppers won’t see her in the flocks of folks lined up for Black Friday.

“To me, a crowd is kind of a challenge in the first place, so if there’s going to be twice as many or three times as many people as normal. That’s a good reason for me not to participate," Suarez said.

Deputies said Antonia Bennett took at TracPhone out of a display case 30 minutes prior to it going on sale, circumventing the line people waiting.

“It is a very stupid way to spend your Thanksgiving holiday, in jail," said sheriff’s office spokesman Matt Baxter.

He said the incident led to her arrest.

 “People have to stand in line and follow those rules to make it a smooth process for everyone," Baxter said.  "Unfortunately, there are always those people that think they’re above the rules and they should just get what they want.”

Deputies said Bennett took the item to the grocery side, where they confronted her.

After getting the phone from Bennett, they said she became irate and refused to leave the store.  Deputies had to pry her from her shopping cart before ultimately making the arrest.

Summer and Tracy Long were in the store during Bennett’s alleged tirade.  They described the atmosphere as scary, full of long lines and rude people.

They said Bennett’s story doesn’t surprise them.

“You kind of expect it on Black Friday.  People go overboard with the sales," Summer Long said.  "It’s kind of ironic for Black Friday to be just after everyone is giving thanks for everything that they already have.”

Bennett will appear in front of a judge on December 13.  She faces charges of trespassing, disturbing the peace and resisting arrest.