After being accused of retail theft-related offenses in August, a Florida man with a criminal history dating back decades was booked into the same jail for the 75th time.
Last month, a man from Clearwater reached a troubling milestone – his 75th arrest and booking into the Orient Road Jail. The 57-year-old habitual offender was first arrested in 1985, and over nearly four decades, he has faced numerous charges that resulted in 11 stints in prison.
According to reports, agents from the Hillsboro County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Theft Unit were investigating claims that fraudulent activity had resulted in merchandise from Lowe’s stores in Hillsboro and Clearwater Counties being stolen an estimated total of ten times. They purported that the person executed the scheme by taking barcodes from less expensive items and placing them onto higher-priced merchandise, allowing them to purchase products at a significantly lower cost. They believed they had enough information to determine who had carried out the alleged fraud, and upon further investigation, the authorities said the suspect had posted multiple online ads selling what they assumed was merchandise from Lowe’s.
On August 21, a man later identified as the suspect was reportedly spotted by the authorities while he was allegedly driving erratically. He was apprehended at his home, and the police found that he was currently on probation for felony fleeing to elude.
The suspect, who is likely very familiar with the process, was taken into custody and booked into the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office – Orient Road Jail. He is facing multiple preliminary charges, including organized scheme to defraud less than $20,000, retail theft of $3,000 or more, and felony petit theft, in addition to charges filed by the Clearwater Police Department.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.