Homeless man with nearly 70 felony charges arrested after stealing hundreds of dollars in tools from Coral Springs Home Depot and fleeing on a pink bicycle
Coral Springs, Florida – In a strange and chaotic scene last week, a man with a lengthy criminal record was arrested after he swiped more than $300 worth of tools from a Coral Springs Home Depot — and attempted a getaway on a pink bicycle.
The man, identified by police as 44-year-old William Phillips, was caught on April 18 after trying to sneak out of the Home Depot store located at 750 N. University Drive, authorities said. According to the arrest report, Phillips loaded up a backpack with hardware items valued at $322.85 and attempted to exit without paying.
Security personnel, who had been monitoring Phillips, quickly approached him outside the store and identified themselves. In response, Phillips reportedly handed over the stolen goods — but then hopped on a bicycle, notably pink in color, and pedaled away from the scene.
It didn’t take long for police to track him down. Officers found Phillips not far from the store, near 1000 N. University Dr. When questioned, Phillips admitted to police that he was homeless.
Phillips now faces a charge of Petit Theft in the 2nd Degree – 3rd or Subsequent Offense, which under Florida law is a felony due to his extensive history of arrests. His record paints a troubling picture: a staggering 68 prior felony charges, resulting in 21 convictions, along with 45 misdemeanor charges and 20 convictions. His history includes multiple theft-related arrests stretching as far back as 1995.
Adding to the case, authorities discovered Phillips also had an active warrant under a different name — “Ronald Stock.”
Following his arrest, Phillips was booked into Broward County Jail. Court records show he remains in custody with bond set at $4,000.
The bizarre image of Phillips riding away on a pink bicycle may stick with many, but the deeper concern remains his long and troubled criminal past. The incident also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Coral Springs law enforcement in dealing with repeat offenders who continue to cycle through the system.
Authorities have not disclosed whether additional charges could be filed related to his outstanding warrant.
For now, Phillips’ fate rests with the court, as he once again faces the consequences of a life that has been tangled with the law for nearly three decades.
