Most people who misplace their phone in a public store hope a good Samaritan turns it into customer service next to the scratch-off tickets. One Auburndale shopper, however, found himself dealing with an impromptu hostage negotiator.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the man realized he dropped his phone on Saturday morning, October 17, while visiting the Publix at Mariana Acres. Doing what anyone would do, he called the number to track it down. A woman answered on the other end, but instead of coordinating a friendly reunion, she informed him that getting his phone back was strictly a pay-to-play transaction.
Unwilling to negotiate with an unlicensed lost-and-found extortionist, the victim called the sheriff’s office…