In a bizarre turn of events, Florida officials are currently investigating an unusual incident that took place at a Bass Pro Shops location in Fort Meyers. Surveillance footage captured a man casually strolling through the hunting and fishing store, clutching a large fish in a net. The Lee County Sheriff's Office is now on the hunt for this elusive suspect, accused of using a fishing net from the store's shelves to snatch a live tarpon from the fishpond before making a swift getaway.

The audacious thief managed to abscond with the 50-pound tarpon, leaving authorities dumbfounded. Lee County Sheriff's Office wasted no time in sharing the video footage of the daring theft on their official Facebook page, appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the capture of this fish-loving criminal. In a light-hearted tone, deputies added a playful twist to their post, writing, "We guess you could say THIS one will o-fish-ially catch your eye."

Thanks to the quick thinking of a witness, the incident was captured on video via Snapchat, providing further evidence for the ongoing investigation. The Snapchat video, captioned with the words "This kid just got it outta the small pond," shows the suspect sporting dark-colored pants, a navy blue T-shirt, and a fishing hat, all while carrying the stolen tarpon.

Authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice. The Lee County Sheriff's Office has enlisted the help of its Animal Cruelty Task Force, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and SWFL Crime Stoppers to assist in their search for the individual responsible. The FWC, in particular, is closely cooperating with local authorities to unravel the specifics of the incident. A spokesperson for the FWC, speaking to FOX 35 Orlando, stated, "We are currently working with the Lee County Sheriff's Office to investigate further," promising updates as new information emerges.

The suspect's audacity was on full display as he brazenly fled the store, tarpon in hand. The image of a man making his escape through the doors of Bass Pro Shops, fish in tow, has captured the attention of both local residents and national media outlets. As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether this fishy theft was merely an impulsive act of mischief or if there are deeper motivations at play. One thing is for certain, though - the Lee County Sheriff's Office is determined to reel in the suspect responsible for this peculiar crime.