Theft Suspect Nabbed Thanks To His Rob Gronkowski Football Jersey

When shoplifting, it is best to wear nondescript clothing so as to make as little an impression as possible on any prospective witnesses.

Which is to say you should not don a Rob Gronkowski football jersey when boosting watches from a Walmart in the Tampa Bay area.

Police charge that Joel Lewis, 41, swiped two watches (worth $39.76) from a Walmart in Largo on Saturday afternoon. A store employee provided cops with a description of the suspect “to include the ‘Gronkowski’ jersey he was wearing.”

Lewis, who was hiding in a bush near Walmart, was apprehended within minutes of the theft. Still in his Gronkowski jersey, Lewis was collared after a short foot chase. He reportedly confessed to stealing the watches and “apologized for his actions,” according to a court filing.

Lewis, charged with theft and resisting, is being held in the Pinellas County jail on $2150 bond. At the time of his arrest, Lewis was free on $2500 bond in a pending felony battery case (he was arrested on September 20 for allegedly striking his girlfriend during an argument). Lewis’s lengthy rap sheet includes multiple felony convictions and state prison terms.

After nine seasons (and three NFL titles) with the New England Patriots, Gronkowski last year joined up with Tom Brady on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 32-year-old tight end (and the 63-year-old quarterback) won another ring in Febnruary when the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 55.