Wiener Heist: Waldorf Man Charged After Eating Unpaid Wawa Hot Dog

WHITE PLAINS, Md. — A Waldorf man is facing theft and weapons charges after deputies say he ate a hot dog inside a Wawa convenience store without paying and was later found carrying a concealed knife.

Juan Carlos Quiros-Aceredo, 57, of Waldorf, was arrested on March 3, 2026, following an incident at the Wawa in White Plains.

According to charging documents, a Charles County Sheriff’s Office deputy was inside the store at approximately 9:30 p.m. preparing a cup of coffee when he observed a Hispanic male standing near the hot dog warmer located toward the back of the store, out of view of the front registers.

The deputy reported watching the man eat an entire hot dog before throwing the empty plastic container into a trash can near the coffee bar. The individual then walked toward the store’s restroom.

Based on his training and experience, the deputy believed the behavior suggested the item had not been purchased. The deputy spoke with a store employee, who confirmed that the man had not paid for a hot dog and indicated the individual was someone who had done this on previous occasions.

The deputy and the employee agreed the man would be approached and given an opportunity to pay for the item.

When the man exited the restroom, the deputy confronted him and asked if he planned to pay for the hot dog he had eaten. The man stated that he would. The deputy told him he would walk with him to the front register to complete the purchase.

According to investigators, Quiros-Aceredo then claimed his wallet and money were outside and attempted to leave the store.

At that point, the deputy advised him he was being detained while the suspected shoplifting was investigated.

When asked if he had anything on him, Quiros-Aceredo voluntarily stated he had a knife on his side. The deputy checked his right hip area and discovered a large knife concealed inside his pants beneath multiple layers of clothing.

Authorities reported the weapon was a double-edged knife similar to a dirk or Bowie-style knife with a blade approximately nine inches long. The knife was inside a sheath attached to the inside of his pants and was not visible from the outside.

Quiros-Aceredo was placed under arrest without incident.

During a search following the arrest, deputies reported they did not locate any money, credit cards, gift cards, or other means of payment that could have been used to purchase the hot dog.

Investigators also located a black sock containing a Wawa label that held several crystal-like rocks believed to be suspected methamphetamine. Authorities reported the substance will be sent to the Maryland State Police laboratory for testing, and additional charges could be filed pending results.

While in custody, Quiros-Aceredo repeatedly told deputies that it was “just a hot dog.” Before being transported, he also spontaneously stated that he ate a hot dog.

The deputy advised Quiros-Aceredo of his Miranda rights, but he refused to acknowledge whether he understood them.

Quiros-Aceredo was charged with theft of property valued at less than $100 and carrying a concealed dangerous weapon.

A trial is set for April 21, 2026 in Charles District Court.

---