Five arrested in outlet mall shoplifting spree

Historic City News was informed by Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw that sheriff’s deputies arrested four adults and a 16-year-old juvenile from Georgia last night; recovering over $2,500 in stolen merchandise said to have been taken from six different stores at the St Augustine Premium Outlet Mall.

Shortly before 6:00 p.m., the suspects were observed by an employee of Polo Ralph Lauren as they drove away from the mall in a white Nissan Altima.

Deputy Ezekiel Kelly spotted the vehicle heading northbound on I-95 a short time later and conducted a traffic stop at the northbound rest area. The five occupants were in possession of a large quantity of stolen clothing along with tools to remove antishoplifting devices.

The clothing recovered was the property of Polo Ralph Lauren, Reebok Rockport Outlet, Aeropostale Outlet, Nike Outlet, Gap Outlet, and Tommy Hilfiger Outlet.

Charged with felony retail theft were Lakycra Arie Gardner, 24, Jacksonville; Jasmonique Lavon Franklin, 22; Mia Nicole Dock, 19; Shacarrie Deasia Heyward, 18; and Shanea Danocka Johnson, 16, all of Savannah.

The adults were booked into the St Johns County Detention Facility where they are being held on bonds ranging from $5,500 – $20,000. The juvenile was turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice.