Guess the Age of the Cross-Dressing Man Arrested for Stealing a Purse at Walmart (Pic With Lipstick? Yep)

Mug shot of Manuel Rodriguez (Credit: Marion County Sheriff’s Office/Marion County Jail)

Why would a man with more than $800 his wallet attempt to pilfer $87 worth of merchandise from a Walmart?

A fair question. But that probably wasn't the only head-scratcher when a security guard spotted 80-year-old Manuel Rodriguez removing tags from items in the apparel department.

The guard observed Rodriguez — adorned with rose blush, cherry red lipstick, and dressed as a woman, the Orlando Sentinel reports — stuffing items from the Ocala, Fla., store in a purse he also lifted from its shelves, according to a Marion County Sheriff's Office report.

So the guard followed Rodriguez — who eventually entered the frozen-food department, grabbed an item, and walked to the check-out line to pay for it — and cut off his exit and detained him until police arrived.

Rodriguez, also of Ocala (which is about 45 minutes south of Gainesville) was charged with petty theft and booked into jail still wearing lipstick, the Sentinel says of last Wednesday night's incident.

He was released the following day, records indicate.

The final conundrum? When asked why he attempted the theft, Rodriguez replied that he did not know, the report said.

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