Speedy Gonzalez and his shoplifting spree across northeast Georgia

By Joe Johnson

A thief with a lengthy criminal record has been accused of stealing merchandise valued at over $20,000.

Speedy Gonzalez, which is his real name, was caught on surveillance footage last month stuffing an empty trash can with smaller, expensive items before taking it to the self-checkout aisle of a Walmart in Gainesville.

Authorities allege that in a string of shoplifting incidents, Gonzalez would stuff high-priced, smaller items into larger containers but would only pay for the large item at checkout.

“Nicotine, gum, diabetic strips, you know, high-priced items, although smaller in nature," Gainesville Police Lt. Kevin Holbrook said.

"He would then pick out an item from the shelf, such as a trash can. In one instance, it was a mailbox, and take those items, stick it into the box with the larger item, and then take that, pay for it, and walk out of the store," Holbrook explained.

Gonzalez was arrested when he returned to the same Gainesville Walmart 10 days later. Police said they found more stolen goods inside his car and began connecting him with a spate of Walmart thefts across Northeast Georgia.

“Barrow County, Gwinnett, Hall County, Habersham, White, Lumpkin — Speedy Gonzalez was responsible for over 20 thefts around the North Georgia area," Holbrook said.

The Gainesville Police Department shared news of Speedy Gonzalez’s arrest April 2 on Facebook and people were quick to notice his unusual name.

"I feel like this is an April Fools joke. Cant be real," one person commented.

Another wrote: "No way that’s his actual name. Did this post a day late?"

Other users began sharing images of the animated Looney Tunes mouse character of the same name as they poked fun at Gonzalez. "Clearly wasn’t speedy enough," one person noted.

"His cousin Slow Poke Rodriguez still at large," another joked. "He should consider changing that name," a third urged.

Gainesville police noted it's not Gonzalez's first run-in with the law. "He does have a criminal history here in Gainesville," Holbrook said. "Again, he's someone that we've dealt with numerous times."

In 2020, Gonzalez was arrested by Gwinnett County police for stealing checks from a mailbox and attempting to use them to purchase $3,000 worth of Home Depot goods. Following his recent arrest, Gonzalez was booked into the Hall County Jail before being transferred to Barrow County, where he is suspected of additional thefts.