Two Jacksonville residents have been arrested after allegedly trying to steal 98 packs of sports trading cards from a Target store in Palm Coast, Florida, while deputies were already investigating another theft at the premises.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said the incident happened on 21 September. A loss-prevention employee alerted a deputy after recognising a man who was allegedly known for stealing from other Target branches.
Investigators said the man took a plastic storage container from the home section, filled it with trading cards and covered it with a lid before leaving through a side fire exit.
Deputies then saw him carrying the container towards a black BMW, where a woman was waiting in the driver’s seat. Police said he dropped the container and ran towards the car as they approached, before both suspects were detained.
The pair were identified as Andrew Simmons, 27, and Madeline Whaley, 35. Both are from Jacksonville.
The recovered sports trading cards were valued at more than $2,500, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies also reported finding methamphetamine, fentanyl and a glass pipe with suspected narcotics residue inside the vehicle. A handgun found in a backpack was later confirmed to have been reported stolen in Jacksonville.
Simmons was charged with grand theft, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also found to have four outstanding warrants: one from St Johns County for failing to appear in court and three from Clay County relating to alleged grand theft.
Whaley was charged with being an accessory after the fact, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, using a firearm during the commission of a felony, grand theft of a firearm and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said Simmons was being held without bond, while Whaley was being held on a $25,000 bond. The allegations have not been tested in court.
