ST JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Three women are facing theft charges after St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office deputies say they orchestrated a coordinated shoplifting scheme at a Walmart in St. Johns — not once, but twice within days.
The arrests were made Aug. 2 at a Gate Gas Station near Durbin Pavilion Drive after deputies say the suspects attempted to run away from deputies.
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First incident: July 31
According to the arrest report, the scheme began July 31, when surveillance video captured three suspects working in a coordinated effort inside the Dubin Pavilion Walmart. Deputies say one suspect acted as a lookout while the others gathered high-value items — specifically Ninja Slushy machines — before fleeing the store.
The total loss from the July 31 incident was $866.00. Deputies say all three suspects drove away in a blue Nissan bearing a Florida license plate that had been bent upward to obscure the characters.
August 2 theft
Less than two days later, investigators say surveillance footage captured the same three suspects allegedly attempting the same scheme at the same Walmart location.
According to the report, one suspect pushed a shopping cart full of merchandise while monitoring the store exit. A second suspect reportedly did the same, while the third walked the store floor — all three appearing to be on the phone simultaneously, the report states.
Before the suspects could pass the final points of sale, Loss Prevention Officers (LPOs) approached them. All three abandoned shopping carts containing $899.73 in merchandise — again including Ninja cookware — and ran from the store.
Arrests made near gas station
LPOs say they kept an eye on the suspects as they exited the store. One suspect was detained on foot near the store. Meanwhile, Cpl. Riggins located the suspect vehicle at a nearby Gate Gas Station, where the other two suspects were observed attempting to flee on foot.
A foot pursuit followed and ended quickly, according to the report. Both suspects surrendered and were taken into custody.
Suspect admits to theft
Following Miranda warnings, investigators say one of the suspects made statements to deputies admitting her involvement.
“I was about to steal then I seen the man so I hauled [expletive] out the store,” the suspect reportedly said, according to the arrest report.
She also acknowledged her role in the July 31 incident, telling deputies she “probably stole a Ninja machine” that day because the items were easy to resell. She further stated that one of the other suspects had driven the group to the store.
Prior theft at another Walmart
LPOs later informed deputies that the three suspects had shoplifted at a nearby Walmart in Jacksonville immediately before arriving at the St. Johns location on Aug. 2, the report states.
An inventory search of the suspect vehicle revealed multiple brand-new, boxed appliances consistent with LPO’s account of the prior theft. The vehicle was sealed as evidence and towed for processing by other jurisdictions.
Part of a national trend
The St. Johns County case appears to be part of a growing national pattern. News outlets across the country have reported on separate Ninja Slushy machine theft cases in their regions — suggesting the popular appliances have become a target for organized retail theft rings. The machines are considered easy to resell, according to the arrest report.