A Marietta man is accused of stabbing two Publix employees in Florida who stopped him from shoplifting a chicken Caesar salad.

An off-duty Miami Beach cop working security explains in a report what led to the arrest of 43-year-old Matthew Miller on Wednesday.

The cop reported seeing an employee from the meat department chase after Miller down an escalator. (Yes, “escalator”; this is a two-story Publix on land records show is worth $21.7 million, a five-minute walk from North Beach.)

READCrimes of Cobb: Man punched Waffle House workers, yelled racial slurs

As the cop headed down the escalator, a manager grabbed Miller’s arm and pulled him back into the store. They started to tussle and the cop saw Miller reach into his waist and stab the manager’s chest.

Miller then tried to tackle the meat department worker and stabbed him in the knee, the officer wrote.

The manager blocked the door so Miller couldn’t get out. The cop pulled out his Taser and Miller dropped the knife.

WATCHMan parachutes off Cobb cell tower, cops show up seconds after

When searching Miller, the cop found he had “concealed a chicken Caesar salad in the bag” he was carrying.

Both Publix workers were taken to hospitals for their injuries.

The salad cost $7.99, according to the police report.

Miller remained in a Miami-Dade County Corrections facility without bond Friday morning.

Like Cobb County News Now on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter

In other news...

WATCH: Bus Driver Helps Woman and Daughter After Seizure

About the Author

Keep Reading

Carden Wyckoff speaks to media members during a press conference outside Five Points station on Thursday, June 25, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com