How Tampa Nugget Cigars Helped Catch a Burglar in 1960

A burglar’s unwavering loyalty to Tampa Nugget cigars turned out to be his undoing in a string of break-ins.

A String of Small-Time Burglaries

In 1960, police in High Point, North Carolina, were chasing a burglar targeting small businesses. His hits included poolrooms and family-owned grocery shops. The crimes weren’t lucrative, but they were consistent and clever enough to leave police baffled.

Over several months, the trail remained cold. The thief was careful. The items stolen were small—mostly cash and a few goods. The crimes didn’t follow an obvious pattern, except for one unusual detail that later became key.

The Cigar Clue That Changed Everything

The breakthrough came in late December with the burglary of the Kivett Drive Poolroom. The thief stole only $14.50 in cash—but also took a box of Tampa Nugget cigars.

That specific detail caught the attention of detectives O.H. Leak and W.T. Amaker. When they reviewed earlier reports, they noticed the same cigar brand had been taken in several of the previous break-ins. Other valuables had been left behind. But Tampa Nuggets? Always missing.

It was a clear pattern. The burglar wasn’t just stealing. He was stealing his favourite cigar.

Introducing “The Tampa Nugget Kid”

Detectives quickly made a connection to a local man, known on the streets as “The Tampa Nugget Kid.” His real name was Leroy Brevard. He was 36 years old and had a long history of petty crimes.

Brevard had just finished a prison sentence and was back in High Point. His love for Tampa Nuggets was well known—he smoked them regularly and spoke of them often. For the detectives, the pieces were falling into place.

“We put our heads together and decided to check out ‘The Tampa Nugget Kid’ — that’s what they call him,” Detective Leak told The High Point Enterprise. “That’s the only name I knew him by.”

Ignoring Other Valuables Was His Downfall

What truly sealed Brevard’s fate was the cigar-specific nature of his thefts. During the Kivett Drive Poolroom break-in, the thief ignored other cigar brands. He left cigarette cartons untouched. He didn’t go after items of higher value.

He took what he came for: Tampa Nuggets.

This level of selectivity stood out to the police. It was almost like a calling card, one he hadn’t even realised he was leaving behind.

The Final Search and the Smoking Gun

With mounting suspicion, detectives secured a warrant to search Brevard’s home. Their instincts were right.

Inside, they found goods reported stolen from multiple local businesses. Among the loot was a familiar sight—dozens of Tampa Nugget cigars. The stash provided all the confirmation they needed. The trail of cigars had led them straight to the culprit.

Brand Loyalty Gone Wrong

This quirky story is more than just a piece of local history. It’s a cautionary tale with an ironic twist. Brevard’s devotion to one cigar brand ended up being his undoing. If he’d been less loyal—or more careful—he might have slipped through the cracks.

Instead, Tampa Nugget cigars became the clue that solved the case.

The Role of Cigars in Cigar Culture and Crime

Cigar brands often hold strong emotional ties for smokers. Loyalty to one blend or band is common. But in Brevard’s case, that loyalty crossed into obsession.

Whether you’re a collector or an occasional smoker, your favourite cigar tells a story. For “The Tampa Nugget Kid,” it told a story he likely didn’t want shared—one that ended with police at his door and a box of Tampa Nuggets in hand.