Publix Manager Left Disturbed After Daylight Theft of Voodoo Ranger IPA in Evans; ‘Beer Run Bandit’ Still at Large as Authorities Appeal for Public’s Help

EVANS, GA — May 29, 2025 —
On an otherwise ordinary Tuesday afternoon, the tranquility of a suburban Georgia supermarket was shattered by an audacious act of theft that left staff shaken and a community on alert. The crime itself — the daylight theft of a 12-pack of craft beer — may seem minor in monetary value, but it has had a chilling effect on a local workforce and revealed cracks in the region’s public safety that authorities are now racing to address.

At approximately 3:30 PM on May 27, 2025, a man walked into the Publix supermarket located at 5119 Washington Road in Evans, Georgia. Surveillance footage shows him moving through the store with the confidence of a regular shopper. However, his intentions soon became clear when he took a 12-pack of Voodoo Ranger IPA from the cooler, turned, and walked straight out the door — without stopping to pay.

The Incident: More Than Just Beer

According to statements provided by store employees and local law enforcement, the suspect appeared calm and deliberate. He wore casual clothing, a baseball cap, and dark sunglasses — a get-up that in retrospect seems meticulously chosen to evade facial recognition.

Witnesses described the moment as surreal. “At first, I thought maybe he forgot to pay,” said one employee, who asked not to be named. “But when the manager ran after him and he just kept walking like nothing happened — that’s when we all knew it wasn’t an accident.”

The store manager, who has not been publicly identified, acted quickly, exiting the store and following the suspect in the direction of Woody’s Spirits, a nearby liquor store. However, the thief disappeared before deputies could arrive. “It was like he vanished into thin air,” said one eyewitness. “Gone. Just gone.”

The Community’s Response

What could have been written off as a low-stakes beer theft has instead ignited deeper community discussions around retail crime, workplace safety, and the treatment of service workers. Many locals expressed sympathy for the store staff, particularly the manager who followed the suspect. Social media posts have praised the employee’s bravery, but some have also questioned whether store policy should have put a worker in that position to begin with.

“It’s not just about the beer,” said local resident and community advocate Lisa Rayburn. “It’s about the audacity. It’s about the way he did it — walking out in broad daylight, daring someone to stop him. That should make all of us uneasy.”

Investigation: The Search for the ‘Beer Run Bandit’

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office responded promptly to the scene, and investigators have launched a full-scale inquiry. Detectives are currently analyzing footage from nearby traffic and security cameras in the hopes of tracking the suspect’s movements after he fled the scene.

A press release issued by CCSO confirmed that the stolen item was a 12-pack of Voodoo Ranger IPA — a popular but moderately priced craft beer from New Belgium Brewing Company. “We are treating this matter seriously,” said Captain Marshall Greene of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. “While the value of the theft may be limited, the boldness of the act and the disruption it caused cannot be overlooked.”

Authorities released still images from surveillance footage and are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect. If you have any information, you are urged to call CCSO at 706-541-2800.

What’s at Stake: Retail Crime on the Rise

While shoplifting has always existed, there has been a noticeable uptick in more brazen forms of retail theft nationwide in recent years. Experts say the Evans incident mirrors a troubling pattern in which criminals grow bolder, often assuming they can escape without consequence.

“This isn’t an isolated incident,” said Dr. Melanie Carter, a criminologist at Georgia State University. “We are seeing a shift from crimes of desperation to crimes of opportunity. These offenders often operate under the assumption that, unless they’re caught red-handed, they won’t be pursued — and that needs to change.”

In Georgia alone, retail losses topped an estimated $1.2 billion in 2024, a figure expected to rise in 2025 if trends continue.

Publix Responds

Publix corporate has confirmed that it will pursue charges against the suspect, describing the incident as “unacceptable and threatening to the safety of our associates.” The company declined to make the store manager available for interviews but released a statement expressing gratitude for the swift police response and support from the Evans community.

The company is also reportedly reviewing its internal policies for staff interaction with theft suspects, ensuring that no employee is put in harm’s way.

Community Vigilance and Calls for Justice

Residents of Evans and the surrounding Columbia County area have taken to local forums and Facebook groups to share theories and vent frustrations. Several tips have already come in, some claiming the suspect may be a repeat offender known to frequent the area’s liquor stores. Investigators have yet to confirm or deny these claims.

Others are rallying behind the idea of forming neighborhood watches and pushing for stronger local enforcement of petty crime laws. “It starts small,” said Pastor Jermaine Holmes of the nearby Grace Chapel. “But left unchecked, this kind of disregard for order erodes trust in our neighborhoods. We need to stand together.”

The Human Cost

Though no one was physically harmed during the theft, the emotional toll has been significant. Store workers report feeling vulnerable and tense. “It just makes you think,” said a cashier who was on shift at the time. “What if he had a weapon? What if the manager hadn’t come back?”

Experts in workplace trauma say these kinds of incidents, though nonviolent, can have lasting impacts on mental health. “There’s a lingering fear that comes from being so close to criminal behavior,” said trauma counselor Elaine Mooney. “Even if no one gets hurt, the breach of normalcy is deeply unsettling.”

In Summary

As of today, the suspect remains at large. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office continues to ask for the public’s assistance in identifying the man known locally now as the “Beer Run Bandit.” His image — a snapshot frozen in time from a security camera — is being circulated across news outlets and social media.

This case may revolve around a 12-pack of beer, but it’s touched something much deeper: a community’s sense of safety, a team of workers’ dignity, and a law enforcement agency’s call to uphold accountability — one Voodoo Ranger at a time.

If you have any information about the suspect, please contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 541-2800. All tips can be kept anonymous.