News and Investigations

From July 30, 2018, to August 3, 2018, the PCSO Organized Retail Crime Unit and partnering entities conducted a countywide undercover investigation focusing on those who commit retail theft from Polk County stores; 32 arrests were made.

"Our Organized Retail Crime task force works with area retailers and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend those who are stealing. We are sending out this warning to everyone: if you steal from stores in Polk County, you will go to jail." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

The arrests were made at the following businesses, in the areas of Auburndale, Mulberry, Lakeland, Lake Wales, and Winter Haven:

• Bealls
• Bealls Outlet
• Belk
• Goodwill
• Home Depot
• Kohls
• Lowes
• Marshalls
• JC Penney
• Target
• TJ Maxx
• Walgreens
• Walmart

Detectives worked with loss prevention personnel at each store, focusing on identifying suspects who were trying to conceal items on their person and leave the stores without paying, and other methods of theft or fraud.

Of the 32 suspects arrested, 6 were juveniles, charged with petit theft and grand theft. The youngest suspect arrested was 14 years old, and the oldest was 60 years old.

PCSO filed a total of 20 felony and 29 misdemeanor charges. The total value of items stolen by these suspects is $7,627.00.

19 of the suspects have criminal histories, and 9 of the suspects told detectives they are receiving government/public assistance. Those with criminal histories have a combined total of 57 previous felony and 79 previous misdemeanor charges. 

Those arrested, in order of arrest, were:

57-year-old Nancy Cain Anderson of Auburndale; arrested at the Auburndale Lowes (2301 US Hwy 92 West) after concealing bed bug killer and an extension cord in a canvas bag she brought into the store with her, and attempting to leave through the garden center area of the store before being stopped by loss prevention personnel. The value of the items stolen was $39.00. Her criminal history includes 2 prior felonies and 6 prior misdemeanors, including aggravated battery, petit theft, larceny, fraud, shoplifting, DUI, and FTA. She told detectives she receives public assistance each month: $22.00 worth of food stamps, and $725.00 for disability. She was arrested and charged with felony petit theft (F-3). She has five prior petit theft convictions, from Highlands County, Escambia County, Avon Park, and Sebring.

51-year-old Tammy Diane Fordham of Mulberry; arrested after carrying six outdoor chairs to the front of at the Lake Wales Kohl's (2803 Ridge Way), then outside the store, and finally into her car before driving away with them without paying. Detectives responded to her home, and when they asked her if she knew why they were there, she said, "They didn't ring up the chairs." The total value of the chairs was $143.00. She told detectives she's a registered nurse at Winter Haven Hospital. She was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-1).

23-year-old Brooke Leanne Archie of Winter Haven; arrested at the Auburndale Lowes (2301 US Hwy 92 West) with her boyfriend, Clayton Tate, when she attempted a fraudulent return; they took a circular saw and a 250' foot roll of twine off the shelves and up to the customer service counter, then provided the sales associate with a receipt from a previous purchase of the same items and attempted to "return" the items. The total value of the items was $55.00. She was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

29-year-old Clayton Thomas Tate of Winter Haven; arrested at the Auburndale Lowes (2301 US Hwy 92 West) with his girlfriend, Brooke Archie, when he atttempted a fraudulent return; they took a circular saw and a 250' foot roll of twine off the shelves and up to the customer service counter, then provided the sales associate with a receipt from a previous purchase of the same items and attempted to "return" the items. The total value of the items was $55.00. His criminal history includes 18 prior felonies and 22 prior misdemeanors, including theft, burglary, dealing in stolen property, larceny, fraud, FTA, and VOP. He was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

A 17-year-old male from New York; arrested at the Winter Haven Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) with his girlfriend, Jenna Hoovler, when he concealed an X-box game controller worth $25.00 and $12.00 worth of batteries in his pants and attempted to leave without paying. He was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

18-year-old Jenna Hoovler of Acra, NY; arrested at the Winter Haven Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) with her 17-year-old boyfriend, after acting as a lookout when he concealed an X-box game controller worth $25.00 in his pants, and being found by loss prevention personnel with a $10 phone accessory in her pocket. She was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

41-year-old Rodney Moseley of Plant City; arrested at the Winter Haven Home Depot (2000 8^th Street NW) when he concealed items in his pockets and under two bags of quickset (which he paid for). The total value of the items was $37.00. His criminal history includes 5 prior felonies and 8 prior misdemeanors, including battery, resisting arrest, cocaine, marijuana, larceny, criminal mischief, and VOP. He was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

49-year-old Caroline Martin of Auburndale; arrested at the Auburndale Beall's Outlet (460 Havendale Blvd) when she concealed clothes in a large bag she brought into the store with her. The total value of the items was $50.00. Her criminal history includes 7 prior felonies and 13 prior misdemeanors, including theft, cocaine, fraud, giving false info to LEO, and DWLSR. She was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

60-year-old Walter Forte of Winter Haven; arrested at the Winter Haven Walmart (7450 Cypress Gardens Blvd) when he was observed gathering discarded store receipts from the ground outside the store, then placing matching items into a shopping cart and attempting to return the items for refund. The total value of the fraudulent returns was $48.00. When a PCSO detective took him into custody, he actively pulled away from the detective and resisted arrest. His criminal history includes 9 prior felonies and 12 prior misdemeanors, including battery, felony petit theft, resisting arrest, aggravated assault, carrying a concealed weapon, forgery, shoplifting, exposure of sex organs, sexual assault, and DWLSR. He told detectives he receives food stamps and disability. He was arrested and charged with felony petit theft - 3^rd or subsequent offense (F-3), and resisting arrest (M-1).

33-year-old Christine Earp of Winter Haven; arrested at the Auburndale Beall's Outlet (460 Havendale Blvd) when she concealed clothes in a purse she brought into the store with her. The total value of the items was $155.00. When a PCSO detective took him into custody, she actively pulled away from the detective and resisted arrest. Her criminal history includes 7 prior felonies and 14 prior misdemeanors, including battery, shoplifting, drug possession, and DWLSR. She told detectives she receives public assistance but wouldn't say how much. She was arrested and charged with felony petit theft - 3^rd or subsequent offense (F-3), resisting arrest (M-1), and VOP (M-2).

39-year-old Joseph Yeager of Lakeland; arrested at the Lakeland Home Depot (2805 US Hwy 98 North) when he concealed staples in his pocket. The total value of the staples was $7.00. His criminal history includes prior arrest out of state for kidnapping, domestic violence, assault, disorderly conduct, and domestic violence. He was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

30-year-old Tambril Fullwood of Lakeland; arrested at the TJ Maxx (4023 US Hwy 98 North) when she concealed clothes in a purse she brought into the store with her. Her 11-year-old son was with her. The total value of the items was $25.00. Her criminal history includes 11 prior felonies and 7 prior misdemeanors, including grand theft, petit theft, giving false info to LEO, VOP, and FTA. She told detectives she receives $480 per month in food stamps. She gave detectives a false name but was positively identified through her fingerprints. She was arrested and charged with felony petit theft - 3^rd or subsequent offense (F-3), contributing to the delinquency of a minor (M-1), and giving false info to LEO (M-1).

24-year-old Joshua Nelson of Zephyrhills; arrested at the Lakeland Home Depot (2805 US Hwy 98 North) when he put two drills into his cart and walked out without paying. The total value of the drills was $498.00. His criminal history includes 2 prior felonies and 2 prior misdemeanors, including fraud, dealing in stolen property, marijuana, DWLSR, and criminal trespass. He was arrested and charged with grand theft (F-3).

18-year-old Raymond Matt of Lakeland; arrested at the Lakeland Goodwill Store (5411 South Florida Avenue) when he concealed a pair of glasses in a bag of previously purchased items. The total value of the glasses was $3.50. He was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

60-year-old Anita Smith of Winter Haven; arrested at the Lakeland Beall's (3565 Lakeland Highlands Rd) when she concealed clothing in a purse she brought into the store. The total value of the items was $472.00. She was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-1).

33-year-old Daiquiri Willis of Lakeland; arrested at the Lakeland Beall's Outlet (3159 US Hwy 98 North) when she concealed clothing in a baby carrier she brought into the store. The total value of the items was $118.00. She told detectives she receives $200 per month in food stamps. Her criminal history includes 7 prior felonies and 3 prior misdemeanors, including battery, violation of injunction for protection, dealing in stolen property, stalking, and VOP. She was arrested and charged with petit theft - 2^nd offense (M-1).

32-year-old Ronald Whitehall, Jr., of Lakeland; arrested at the Mulberry Walmart (6745 North Church Ave) when he concealed food and toys. The total value of the items was $211.00. He was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-1).

31-year-old Alma Velasquez of Tampa; arrested at the Lakeland Belk (1400 Town Center Drive) when she and co-defendant Andrew Robinson attempted to use a cloned credit card to purchase clothing. When Robinson was detained by loss prevention personnel, Velasquez attempted to flee. The total value of the items was $796.00. She has 1 prior felony - shooting from a vehicle. She was arrested and charged with trafficking in counterfeit credit cards (F-2), resisting arrest (M-1), and grand theft (F-3).

24-year-old Andrew Robinson of Chicago, IL; arrested at the Lakeland Belk (1400 Town Center Drive) when he and co-defendant Alma Velasquez attempted to use a cloned credit card to purchase clothing. The total value of the items was $796.00. He has 2 prior felonies - forgery, domestic battery. He was arrested and charged with resisting arrest (M-1), and grand theft (F-3).

14-year-old Aniya Black from Lakeland; arrested at the Lakeland JC Penney (3800 US Hwy 98 North) when she concealed clothing worth $462.00. She was arrested and charged with grand theft (F-3).

31-year-old Donald Vanvleck of Tampa; arrested at the Lakeland Home Depot (6335 South Florida Ave) when he concealed batteries in his pockets. The total value of the batteries was $19.00. He has 10 prior felonies and 4 prior misdemeanors, including larceny, drug possession, cocaine trafficking, and grand theft. He was arrested and charged with felony petit theft (F-3) and resisting arrest (M-1).

30-year-old Yuseidy Martin of Lakeland; arrested at the Lakeland JC Penney (3800 US Hwy 98 North) when she, in her role as a cashier, significantly reduced the cost of merchandise purchased by her friend and co-defendent, Kenia Lugo-Ramirez, between March and July 2018. The total value of the items was $2,700.00. She told detectives she receives $75 per month in food stamps. She was arrested and charged with fraud (F-3) and grand theft (F-3).

36-year-old Kenia Lugo-Ramirez of Lakeland; arrested at the Lakeland JC Penney (3800 US Hwy 98 North) when she purchased significantly reduced merchandise while her friend and co-defendant Yuseidy Martin worked as a cashier. The total value of the items was $2,700.00. She told detectives she receives $457 per month in food stamps. Her criminal history includes 2 prior felonies and 2 prior misdemeanors, including marijuana possession and cultivation. She was arrested and charged with fraud (F-3) and grand theft (F-3).

22-year-old Brandon Egley of Lakeland; arrested at the Lakeland Target (4005 US Hwy 98 North) when he concealed a portable charger in his pocket. The total value of the item was $60.00. His criminal history includes a prior misdemeanor for FTA. He was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

22-year-old Aminah Johnson of Winter Haven; arrested at the Lakeland Bealls (3565 Lakeland Highlands Rd) when she ran out of the store with two female juveniles (Makenzie Kent & Aysia Letendre) their arms filled with clothing. The total value of the clothing was $1,685.00. Her criminal history includes 1 prior felony and 1 prior misdemeanor, for battery and theft. She was arrested and charged with grand theft (F-3) and contributing to the delinquency of a minor (M-1).

17-year-old Makenzie Kent of Clearwater; arrested at the Lakeland Bealls (3565 Lakeland Highlands Rd) when she ran out of the store with Aminah Johnson and aAysia Letendre, their arms filled with clothing. The total value of the clothing was $1,685.00. Her criminal history includes 7 prior felonies and 4 prior misdemeanors, including aggravated battery, false imprisonment, armed robbery, grand theft of a motor vehicle, shoplifting, petit theft, disturbing the peace, criminal mischief, and VOP. She was arrested and charged with grand theft (F-3).

17-year-old Aysia Letendre of Dunedin; arrested at the Lakeland Bealls (3565 Lakeland Highlands Rd) when she ran out of the store with Aminah Johnson and Makenzie Kent, their arms filled with clothing. The total value of the clothing was $1,685.00. She was also in possession of an iPhone stolen from the Macys in Winter Haven. She was arrested and charged with grand theft (F-3), possession of marijuana (M-2), possession of paraphernalia (M-2), and one count resisting arrest (M-1).

59-year-old Cathleen Gable of Mulberry; arrested at the Mulberry Walmart (6745 North Church Avenue) when she pushed a cart filled with merchandise out of the garden center area of the store. The total value of the items was $198.00. Her criminal history includes an arrest in 1988 by NY State Police for grand larceny; in 1978 by LPD for petty larceny; in 1976, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004 by Muskogee (OK) SO for marijuana, possession of stolen property, fraud, petit theft, forgery, larceny, burglary; and in 2007 by Tulsa (OK) PD for distribution of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia. She told detectives she receives $738.00 per month in disability. She was arrested and charged with one count petit theft (M-1).

43-year-old Michael Runnacles of Bartow; arrested at the Lakeland Lowes (3525 Lakeland Highlands Rd) when he switched price tags on several items and purchased them at the self-checkout at lower prices. The total value of the theft was $18.00. His criminal history includes 8 prior felonies and 8 prior misdemeanors, including burglary, theft, battery, vehicle theft, resisting arrest, DUI, DWLSR, trespassing, and VOP. He was arrested and charged with petit theft (M-2).

35-year-old Gregory Wilson of Lakeland; arrested at the Lakeland Home Depot (2805 US Hwy 98 North) when he drank a Red Bull drink and ate Sour Patch Kids candy while walking through the store, then concealed merchandise in his pockets. The total value of the items was $158.00. He fled when confronted by loss prevention personnel, threw the merchandise from his pockets out, hid, and was tracked and then apprehended by a PCSO K-9. His criminal history includes 2 prior felonies and 5 prior misdemeanors, including fraud, battery, disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and failure to appear. He told detectives he receives $33.00 per month in food stamps. He was arrested and charged with resisting retail merchant (M-1), tampering with evidence (F-3), resisting arrest (M-1), petit theft (M-1), burglary (F-2).

A 17-year-old male of Clermont; arrested at the Lakeland Target (4005 US Hwy 98 North) when he concealed merchandise. The total value of the items was $37.00. He was arrested and charged with one count petit theft (M-2).

A 17-year-old female of Clearwater; arrested at the Lakeland Target (4005 US Hwy 98 North) when she concealed merchandise. The total value of the items was $99.00. She was arrested and charged with one count petit theft (M-2).