A Cape Coral man who told officers he was hungry and homeless has been arrested in connection with a burglary at McDonald’s where the only thing reported stolen was a milkshake.
Sean David Hartman, 18, was first charged in an unrelated crime Friday and then admitted to breaking a glass door at the McDonald’s on Cape Coral Parkway on Oct. 1, officials said.
Officials say Cape Coral police responded to a call from the Publix Supermarket at 2420 Santa Barbara Boulevard regarding a theft on Oct. 2 at 7:32 p.m. Employees had detained a white male, later identified as Hartman, after he was allegedly observed removing a six-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper and a four-pack of Yoo Hoo chocolate drink from the store without paying.
Hartman reportedly told Cape Police Officer Justin DeRosso that he stole beverages from the store because he was thirsty. He told the officer he was a homeless, unemployed college student, officials said in a prepared statement released Tuesday. He also reportedly admitted to breaking into the McDonald’s on Cape Coral Parkway on Oct. 1.
Hartman was transported to Cape Police Headquarters.
In a follow-up interview with Sgt. Brian Hite of the Property Crimes Unit, Hartman said he used a handful of rocks to break the glass door at the McDonald’s early Thursday morning, officials said. He attempted to get a milkshake from the machine but when he pulled the lever, the milkshake spilled everywhere. He was unable to fill a cup so he then took another cup, filled it with Dr. Pepper and left the building. Hartman reportedly said he returned to McDonald’s later that morning, asked about the damaged door and acted surprised when he was told someone had burglarized the business.
Hartman was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and larceny/petit theft related to the McDonald’s incident, and larceny/petit theft for attempting to steal the drinks from Publix.

Source: Cape Coral Police Department