Nearly 40 officers were taking part in the charity event where police officers buy gifts for children from marginalised backgrounds.

The man, named only as Brad, was arrested at the Walmart in St Cloud, Florida last week.

Osceola County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook: “Bad news, Brad! The store was full of deputies, almost 40, beside the forensics team, the community services team, the CSOs, the OCSO Majors, and Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez. Bad idea, Brad.”