Wine-Guzzling, Sushi-Smuggling Suspect Arrested At Texas Grocery

A Texas man has been charged with misdemeanor theft after police say he guzzled two bottles of wine in a grocery store bathroom before stuffing sushi in his pants and trying to leave without paying.

Nathan Phifer, 28, entered an H-E-B grocery store in Friendswood, near Houston, around 5 p.m. on July 29. He went to an area where wine was displayed and stuffed three bottles into his pants, store employees told police.

Police said Phifer then went into the restroom, where he guzzled two of the bottles before stopping by the sushi bar. He was observed putting a package of sushi down his pants before attempting to exit the store.

Loss prevention employees stopped Phifer and held him until police arrived.

He was arrested and taken to Friendswood city jail, but was no longer in custody Wednesday, the Houston Chronicle reports. Phifer pleaded guilty to drug charges in March and is currently serving two years deferred adjudication.

Earlier this year, another Texas man was charged with stealing $2,000 worth of beef from at least 19 H-E-B stores, 13 of which were in the Austin area. He allegedly then sold it to local barbecue restaurants.