Sting Operation in Sarasota County

A four-day long sting operation has placed 14 individuals behind Sarasota County bars. The sting involved retail theft, as it was being reported that individuals were trying to fraudulently return stolen merchandise. Among those arrested were 11 men and three women. If you or someone you know has been accused of retail or petty theft, contact an attorney at Pallegar Law, P.A. for a free consultation.

In May 2020, it was reported that Jason Leach and James Romaglio tried to fraudulently return stolen merchandise, by a loss prevention employee. Later, three other individuals were identified as co-conspirators and were also in possession of stolen merchandise. After being taken into custody, nine more individuals were identified and 38 charges have been filed since then. Most of the individuals involved have prior charges or convictions, according to Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. The entirety of the investigation focused on shops trailing from Sarasota down to Venice.

Worth noting in these arrests is that of Jamie Wood and Adam Currier. During a traffic stop on a vehicle with an unregistered license plate, police identified Jamie and Adam of having a fully loaded .45 caliber handgun, methamphetamine, prescription pills, a digital scale, plastic bags, and two meth pipes.

Most of the arrests led to additional charges such as false identification given to police, and possession of a controlled substance. Locals were unfortunate to disclose that addiction and substance abuse can oftentimes be a factor fueling the need to commit crime. This has been only a small portion of the arrests made since the Sheriff’s Office and local retailers began working together to curb retail theft back in 2013. Police are able to identify crime hot spots and send resources as necessary to ensure safety and maintenance of these areas. Their goal is to help retailers during this trying time and also send a serious message to repeat offenders who may be thinking of participating in illegal activities.

If you have been charged with a theft crime or are a suspect in a sting, contact a competent attorney today. At Pallegar Law, P.A. we specialize in representing individuals charged with retail theft. In order to be charged of the crime of theft, it must be proven that the defendant had a specific intent to use or to take property that belongs to another person. As a Sarasota Theft Lawyer, prospective clients are often worried about discussing facts of their cases with a potential lawyer, without putting themselves at risk. As long as you aren’t discussing a crime that will happen in the future, you are able to speak in confidence with a potential lawyer to discuss the facts and options to resolve all of your charges. In the state of Florida, a theft crime conviction is considered a crime lacking morality and a conviction can be used against you negatively in the future. Retail theft can bring large fines, potential civil lawsuits, and difficulty when applying for future jobs or opportunities. Call 941-893-5816 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced lawyer.