Publix Stabbing Suspect Laughs At Charges In Bond Court
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Two employees, stabbed at a Miami Beach Publix, were trying to stop a man who stole a salad, police said.
Thursday morning authorities released the mugshot of Matthew Lawrence Miller, 44, accused in the stabbing.
Both employees are expected to be okay, but the incident prompted a scary situation Wednesday evening.
According to the police report, one of the employees saw Miller putting the Chicken Cesar salad into his bag, prompting the employee to notify the store manager.
During this time, police say, Miller made his way through the registers without trying to pay for the salad.
That's when employees and an off-duty officer tried stopping him.
During the struggle, the manager and employee were stabbed - one in the chest and another in the knee. One of them was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital and the other was taken to Aventura Hospital.
Officers were finally able to arrest Miller and say they found a 3 to 4 inch knife on him.
Miller, listed as homeless, is now facing charges including armed robbery, aggravated battery, retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was in bond court Thursday, an appearance that had Judge Mindy Glazer appear incredulous.
"He stabbed somebody over a chicken Cesar salad?" The judge asked. In response Miller laughed out loud.
"It's not funny, you could've killed the victim," Glazer told him.
"This is ridiculous. Just let me go back to my cell," Miller retorted.
Glazer ordered he be held without bail.
Publix issued a statement on the incident Wednesday evening, saying in part:
"The safety of our associates and customers is paramount, and we are working closely with the Miami Beach Police Department as they continue their investigation."
CBS4 tried to speak with the manager of that Publix store but they declined to comment.
