A Florida man was arrested after police said he used taco seasoning packets to steal trading cards worth about $40,000 from Target stores across the state.Police allege that 39-year-old Keith Wallis of Palm Beach carried out a series of thefts at Target locations from Miami to Orlando between July 2025 and February 2026.
Investigators say he picked up large boxes of trading cards along with packages of cheap taco seasoning when he entered stores.At self-checkout, Wallis was accused of scanning the packets of cheap condiments and paying only for them, then leaving the store with the boxes of valuable cards. After seizing the merchandise, authorities say he sold the stolen trading cards online, primarily on eBay, generating approximately $40,000 in revenue.According to a press release from the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Target suffered a loss of more than $10,000 from the alleged thefts, which included about 75 separate incidents.
The cards Wallis allegedly targeted are often highly collectible and can fetch strong prices among buyers.Wallis was charged with felony organized retail theft, felony dealing in stolen property, and felony money laundering. Authorities say if convicted of all charges, he could face up to 90 years in the Florida Department of Corrections.Florida Attorney General James Othmeyer said such schemes “will be met with the maximum penalty permitted by law.”
Palm Beach County Sheriff Rick Bradshaw said the investigation involved cooperation between county and state law enforcement, and added that those who profit from the theft will be held accountable.Authorities also say Wallis is being investigated for similar thefts at other stores including Walmart and Publix.
