54-year-old Richard Lewis Ludwig, DOB 03/30/1957, 1290 Shortwood Circle Okemos, Michigan, who claimed his net worth was between 3-4 million dollars, was booked into the Polk County Jail late Saturday, March 5, 2011, on charges of Impersonating/Attempting to Use the ID of Another Person Without Consent (F3), Uttering False Instrument (F3), Forgery (F3), and Credit Card Theft (M1).  Ludwig told deputies he is a practicing dentist in Haslett Michigan.  Dr. Richard Ludwig, DDS, has a practiced listed at 1660 Haslett Road, Haslett, MI 48840-8469; (517) 339-1012‎.

At approximately, 7:34 pm, on Saturday, March 5, 2011, the victim, 32-year-old Harrun Majeed of Davenport, made a purchase at the Publix Supermarket located at 2424 Sand Mine Road, Davenport. While walking from the store to his vehicle, Majeed unknowingly dropped his Naval Federal Credit Union Visa credit card in the parking lot.  Majeed is a 14-year Naval Veteran, currently pursuing his college degree at Valencia Community College.  Majeed told deputies he and his family live “pay check to pay check.”

When Majeed returned home, he noticed his credit card was missing and he immediately called to cancel the card. While on the phone with the credit card company the representative told Majeed a new purchase had just been made at the Mia Pizza Pasta Kitchen, which is located in the same plaza as the Publix Supermarket where Majeed lost his card.  Majeed immediately called the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.

Moments after receiving the call, PCSO deputies arrived at the restaurant and made contact with the suspect (Dr. Richard Ludwig) as he was waiting for the pizza he ordered and paid for with Majeed’s credit card. Dr. Ludwig was placed under arrest.  Post Miranda Ludwig admitted to finding Majeed’s credit card in the Publix parking lot, walking over to Mia Pizza and ordering two (2) large pizzas with extra olives and using Majeed’s credit card to pay the $40.64 bill.  Dr. Ludwig had $250.00 cash in his wallet at the time of his arrest.

During questioning, Dr. Ludwig told deputies he is a successful dentist in the East Lansing, Michigan area, a University of Michigan dental school graduate, with an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering.  Deputies asked Dr. Ludwig if he was having financial problems which would cause him to act in such a way.  Dr. Ludwig laughed and said “absolutely not.”

When asked why he was in the Polk County area, Dr. Ludwig told deputies he was visiting Polk County because his son is playing in a baseball tournament in Winter Haven.  Dr. Ludwig admitted that risking his dental career and reputation for two large pizzas with extra olives was “dumb.”

“I’ve been in law enforcement for a long time, but this one takes the cake,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.  “This is the epitome of arrogance.  Dr. Ludwig appears to be an intelligent, successful person who could have bought pizza for everyone in Davenport, but instead, he risked his career to steal from a military veteran.”