Hillsborough County Police Arrest Man on Retail Theft Charges
A Hillsborough County man has been arrested and charged with several crimes after perpetrating what police call “an organized scheme to defraud.” According to police, the defendant would swap barcodes out for cheaper items at Lowe’s and then sell the items on social media.
The police have identified the man as a habitual offender. According to police, the defendant has been to prison 11 times and has been booked into the Orient Road Jail 74 times since 1985. He has now been arrested for defrauding Lowe’s of more than $4,500 in merchandise during ten separate incidents.
The HCSO Organized Retail Theft Unit (ORT) became aware of the fraudulent activity and immediately launched an investigation. According to police, the defendant’s fraudulent activities involved placing barcodes for cheaper items on more expensive items or scanning significantly cheaper items instead of paying the total price. The barcode manipulation scheme allowed the defendant to defraud Lowe’s on at least 10 separate occasions. Investigators also uncovered several ads placed by the defendant on social media sites advertising the stolen items.
The defendant is facing multiple charges including: organized scheme to defraud less than $20,000, retail theft of $3,000 or more, and felony petit theft. The defendant was on probation for felony fleeing to elude at the time of his arrest.
Analyzing the charges
There are two elements to the charge of organized scheme to defraud. The first involves executing a scheme to defraud, the second involves acquiring property based on the scheme. The law:
(a) Any person who engages in a scheme to defraud and obtains property thereby commits organized fraud, punishable as follows:
1. If the amount of property obtained has an aggregate value of $50,000 or more, the person commits a felony of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
2. If the amount of property obtained has an aggregate value of $20,000 or more, but less than $50,000, the person commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
3. If the amount of property obtained has an aggregate value of less than $20,000, the person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
In this case, since the value of the stolen items was under $20,000, the defendant is charged with a third-degree felony. A third-degree felony has a maximum sentence of 5 years and a maximum five of $5,000.
Talk to a Tallahassee Fraud Defense Lawyer Today
Have you been charged with fraud under Florida’s laws? Call the Tallahassee criminal defense lawyers at Luke Newman, P.A. today to schedule an appointment. Our attorneys have decades of experience representing the interests of those charged with crimes, including white-collar crimes like fraud. Call our office today and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.
Source:
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