Orlando Fl January 14, 2022

Police said a New Jersey man stole from a Universal Studios Florida gift shop last month.

And he stole.

And he stole some more.

And then he continued to steal even more.

Ryan Walsh, 31, of Sewell, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with grand theft, a third-degree felony, according to court records.

The incident unfolded Dec. 6 as a Universal loss prevention officer watched Walsh approach a Harry Potter Christmas ornament display and take four ornaments, one representing each Hogwarts house, and hide them in his right hand, the Orlando Police Department arrest affidavit said.

Walsh left the ornament display and stuck the ornaments in the large Universal Studios merchandise bag he already had, the report said, before returning to the ornaments to steal another set.

Then Walsh headed to the display selling phone cases and put a Death Eaters and a Ravenclaw phone case in his bag. Following that, Walsh went back to the Christmas ornaments and put more in his bag, police said.

Next, Walsh moved to the Harry Potter-themed socks and stuck several pairs in his bag. Walsh returned to the Christmas ornaments display for a fourth time and stole more ornaments. before walking to the scrapbook display and concealing a Harry Potter scrapbook under his arm.

Lastly, he seized a Harry Potter throw blanket from the shelf and left the Universal Studios Store without paying, the report said. Exiting out the doors which face Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Mayhem, Universal’s security quickly stopped him and escorted him back for questioning.

Walsh admitted he stole the Wizarding World of Harry Potter merchandise, which cumulatively cost $827, from the store, the report said. He also admitted he had stolen other items from the park.

Walsh was taken to jail and is scheduled to be arraigned January 18 in Orange County Circuit Court, according to court records which do not show an attorney listed for Walsh.

Walsh could not be reached for comment.

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