Stolen wallet leaves Florida man stranded in Arizona; search for suspect continues

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- Just days after Christmas, a Florida man says he's stuck here in the Valley after his wallet was stolen. Now he's hoping to catch the guy who did it.

Thomoas Accardio says he was visiting his father, who lives in Cottonwood and he's already missed his flight at Sky Harbor Airport because of this fiasco. Instead of flying back home, now he's stuck making a bunch of phone calls in hopes to make it out by December 29.

It may be after Christmas, but the man who stolen Accario's wallet is definitely on Santa's naughty list. We talked to Accario over the phone about what exactly happened at the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde.

"Caught the tail end of the tiger exhibit. And I hadn't eaten anything all day, so we walked up the hill and I saw a hot dog stand," he said.

In the police report, Accario says he dropped is wallet in the food court after eating lunch and the suspect picked it up and drove off with it in a dark colored Toyota Highlander SUV.

Accario says he had a whopping $2,600 in cash, along with his I.D. and important certifications related to his construction job.

"Sick to my stomach over it, but this is the first time I've seen my father in 24 years, so I'm trying to make the best of it."

Since the incident, he's been going around in circles trying to get his credit cards and I.D. sorted out. 

The suspect in this case is described as a male in his 40s who was wearing a dark jacket, tan pants and bright green shoes.

"I need the wallet back. He can keep the $2,600.. my inspector's badge, I have everything in that wallet."

Accario is hoping to fly back to Florida sooner than later, but still has to figure out how he can fly without his I.D.

If you visited Out of Africa on December 27 and saw something, or have any information regarding this case, you're urged to contact the Camp Verde Marshal's office at (928) 554-8300.