Vibrator Theft Shakes Up Gulfport

By Abby Baker

Bar Bandit Takes Toys Meant for Charity Event; Returns Them

Two women entered Salty’s Gulfport bar on Monday, May 17, and one left with 13 stolen vibrators in a purse.

Allegedly, Kandy Schier, 52, walked into the establishment on 5413 Shore Blvd. S., sat at the bar, then walked to the bucket of 13 sex toys that were intended for use at a Gulfport Pride charity event, Vibrator Races, and walked out with them in the mid afternoon.

Her accomplice, Thersea Graham, 58, went with her, and the beer bucket that formerly housed the vibrators remained.

“I have one of their names from a bar tab, and I gave both their numbers to the police,” Salty’s owner JP Brewer said the day after the crime. “I’m pressing charges because I obviously don’t want the stolen property back.”

Schier was trespassed by the property on Wednesday, May 19 after attempting to return the vibrators.

“Shier stated she was extremely sorry and was under the impression the vibrators were free as there was no sign near them stating otherwise,” according to the Gulfport Police Department report. “Shier then stated she had no mal intent and was trying to do the right thing by contacting Salty’s to tell them what happened.”

Eventually, she returned some of the items, but not all.

“Schier further stated that she thought the vibrators were free giveaways, and that since she had taken them, she had also given some of them away to friends, but that almost all had been returned to the owner,” the police report reads.

Any returned property will not be used in the races, however OutCoast: Gay Florida Travel donated a fresh dozen toys for the event.

“Everyone wants to sponsor now; this is becoming a huge event,” said Suzie King, an organizer with Gulfport Pride.

Brewer ultimately did not press charges.

“Brewer indicated she learned that there had been a lot of negative publicity on social media for the suspects and they are now known and trespassed and she was not interested in continuing the matter,” according to the police report.

Brewer said she told police the stolen merchandise was worth $200, but that was an offhand estimate and the toys, 11 of which were unwrapped, are probably worth much more.

“I had just picked up three that were priced at $75 each,” Brewer said.

Facebook Fodder

After the incident, Brewer posted a photo of the woman from the video on her personal Facebook page, which almost immediately exploded with puns, jabs and donation offerings.

“This post shakes me up, a little rattled,” one Facebook user wrote.

“I’ll send vibes for the cause!” wrote another.

The vibrator races are still charged up and ready to go.

“The show will go on,” Brewer said.

The event, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 29 at Salty’s, will raise money for the Gulfport Library’s LGBTQ Resource Center.

Vibrator Theft Shakes Up Gulfport