Stolen Walmart chicken tenders leads to drug arrest for Collier man

A 39-year-old man was arrested after Collier deputies say he stole chicken tenders from Walmart and ate them before he left the store.

Robert Joseph Malenchek was deterred by a store associate from stealing a speaker, but he made away with the chicken, according to an arrest report.

The theft at the Walmart at 9885 Collier Boulevard happened on Sept. 6. Malencheck was stopped during a traffic stop three days later and deputies say they found a baggie of a crystal-like substance in his wallet that tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

During the traffic stop, Malenchek told authorities he tried to pay for it.

He remains in custody at Collier County jail.