Suspect in McDonald’s Charity Box Theft ID’d

A man whose last known address was in the Lake Magdalene area has been identified as the suspect in an Aug. 15 theft at a local McDonald’s.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies say they want to talk to Richard Ray Peralta Jr., 47, about the crime, which involved the swiping of a charity box outside the 7350 W. Waters Ave. fast-food joint. Deputies say Peralta walked up to the drive through window around 12:39 a.m. and took the box and the $400 inside.

Peralta is no stranger to Hillsborough deputies. He has a lengthy criminal record and has served time in the state prison system, according to jail records. Peralta’s last Hillsborough County arrest was in January 2011 at which time he listed his address as 706 Leisure Ave.

Have you seen him?

Just call the sheriff’s office at 813-247-8200 with your tip. You can also contact Crime Stoppers to be eligible for a cash reward. Submit tips there by calling 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), going online to www.crimestopperstb.com or texting "CSTB plus your tip" to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).