Police in Florida were searching for a man on Friday who placed large orders at more than a dozen pizzerias across the state, never paid for or picked them up and then berated employees when they called him back.
The suspect, Sudeep Khetani, 34, is believed to have been living in the Orlando, Florida-area. He is on probation for selling fake Disney World tickets, police say.
Khetani allegedly targeted a number of businesses that have been donating food to local hospitals, police and emergency service workers. He allegedly told employees at some locations that his orders were for police.
He was charged with theft. Authorities were investigating whether he could also be charged with cyber harassment.
"It is incomprehensible that a suspect would play on the goodwill of so many during these difficult times," South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said in a press release. "The suspect once place an order saying it was coming to South Brunswick Police. We have had several residents send us food, which I appreciate tremendously, but this suspect has gone to a new low."
The fraudulent orders were placed over the course of the last month. Khetani either said he intended to pick up the orders at the restaurants or that they were for local police, according to the release.
The value of the orders was estimated to be in the "thousands."
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