Tampa Area Liquor Distributor Robbed Of $1.6 Million In Alcohol

A July heist was made public this week. A liquor distributor with a Tampa Bay area warehouse was robbed of what can only be described as an amazing amount of cases of liquor.

CNN reported that an alcohol distributor's warehouse near Tampa was robbed. This wasn't just any robbery. The warehouse is one operated by Republic National Distributing Company. Brands such as Jameson, Malibu and Jose Cuervo are among the products carried by Republic National Distributing Company.

The warehouse, located in Gibsonton, Florida, had its video recorders removed by the suspects. Those suspects loaded tractor trailer trucks with 4,277 cases of liquor.

What can be described as a big theft might be an understatement. Reports are that the theft happened back on Saturday, July 8, 2023. The activity happened in the early-morning hours, between 4:10 and 9:45 a.m.

Investigators are looking for information that may be on an iPhone. Though the security system at the warehouse was disabled, there was video evidence from a nearby convenience store. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was able to identify trucks used in the heist.

Because the investigation is ongoing, Republic National Distributing Company officials were unable to go on record with CNN.

Republic National Distributor Company operates in 38 states and employs 14,000. Its origins have been operating since 1942.
[Source: CNN.com]

The MJ Morning Show discussed this Monday morning.

It's a Florida pastime, even if it's illegal. Many tourists and locals will crack open a cold one on the beach, even though it's against the law. But there are a handful of beaches in Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, where you can drink alcohol without a hefty fine.

While it is illegal to drink on a lot of Tampa Bay area beaches, many get away with it daily. Popular beaches like Clearwater, Honeymoon, Bellaire, Indian Rocks Beach, and Fort De Soto Park have all banned alcohol. Even though they have the stereotype as the "spring break beach", no beach in the Miami area allows public drinking. But like we said, it's not uncommon to see a group of people with coolers of beer, or even beverages from the beachfront restaurants. Keep in mind that officers do keep watch on the beach. If you get caught, it could mean at least a $250 fine and possibly spend up tp 90 days in jail. Seems like a harsh punishment, but it's there to protect the people and environment.

Remember different beaches have different rules but one thing remains the same. No glass is allowed on any beach in Florida. Even if the beach allows alcohol, you'll have to pour any glass drinks into a different container. It's really for the best, in case you were to break a bottle, it would be impossible to pick up all of the pieces. Eventually, someone will cut themselves on it.

There's another golden rule when it comes to day drinking on the beach. Don't forget to down some water in between alcoholic beverages. It's hot here and there's nothing worse than a dehydration headache and a nasty hangover. And ALWAYS remember to have a designated driver!

They don't call it Mad Beach for nothing! Not only can you bring alcohol on the beach (but no glass), there are also a lot of great bars and breweries to check out around the area.

Alcohol beverages are allowed on the sand at beachfront hotels, but this is limited to hotel guests. 

Alcohol beverages are allowed but not in glass containers. However, no alcohol is allowed on the beach between the 8500 block and the 9900 block of Treasure Island Beach between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Redington Beach is one of the few beaches that allows alcohol no ordinances against glass bottles. Although it is still strongly discouraged to bring glass on the beach.

This beach is widely known to be a party spot. However, PCB has a spring break law where no alcohol is allowed on the beach during the month of March. Thanks to TikTok challenges, you also can't dig holes deeper than 2 feet. A few months ago, it was a popular challenge on social media to dig the deepest hole you can at the beach. This led to lots of people falling into said holes, and now, the new law.

Not only does Siesta beach have some of the softest sand and clearest waters. But you can also sip on a High Noon as you enjoy the gorgeous views.

Head to the other coast to sip some beer and catch some waves all at the same beach. But be careful in the water, Cocoa beach and the New Smyrna beach are known to have some of the most shark attacks in the U.S.