Shoplifting Ring Busted

Deputies arrested three subjects for stealing nearly $2,000 in merchandise from Bath & Body Works and TJ Maxx in Palm Coast's Town Center.

Witnesses saw three suspects wearing surgical masks shoplifting from Bath & Body Works and TJ Maxx. Upon arrival, Deputy Jackson observed two females matching the description of the suspects quickly exiting the store, each carrying large shopping bags.

When he activated his emergency lights, they quickly ran toward a white Toyota Sedan. As Jackson approached the vehicle, the two subjects, later identified as Jacksonville residents Amanda Wright, 36, and Tiara Gailyard, 29, were getting inside. M/D Jackson approached the driver’s side door and gave commands to the driver, later identified as Gerald Jenkins, 28, also of Jacksonville, to stop the vehicle.

Jenkins continued to reverse the vehicle, nearly backing over the deputy and narrowly missing a witness’s vehicle. The suspect vehicle’s tag was also covered with a surgical mask. Deputies deployed StopSticks near Amoco on Highway 100 East at I-95; however, the vehicle swerved to avoid the StopSticks and drove into a retention pond next to the gas station. All three subjects were quickly apprehended after being pulled from the partially submerged vehicle.

In a search of the vehicle, deputies found stolen property from the two businesses and merchandise and bags from dozens of other retailers. A metal magnetic device used to remove anti-theft devices at retail stores was also located. In total, the merchandise stolen from the Palm Coast retail stores was valued at just over $1,836 and included 50 candles from Bath & Body Works.

All three subjects were arrested and taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.

Jenkins had three active fugitive warrants for his arrest and was wanted in Hillsborough, Marion, and Duval Counties. The warrants were for Retail Theft $3,000 or more from Hillsborough County, Grand Theft from Duval County, and Grand Theft (More than $750 but less than $5,000) from Marion County. His driver’s license also had multiple suspensions and he only had a Florida ID card. He was arrested on Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Driving While License Suspended with Knowledge, and Use/Possession of Anti-Shoplifting Countermeasure Device. He is currently being held without bond.

Wright is currently on probation from a retail theft conviction in Jacksonville in July of 2022. She was arrested for Violation of Probation, Shoplifting - Grand Theft (More than $750 but less than $5,000), Resisting an Officer Without Violence, and Use/Possession of Anti-Shoplifting Countermeasure Device. She is currently being held without bond.

Gailyard had an active fugitive warrant for her arrest from St. Johns County for Grand Theft (More than $750 but less than $5,000). She was arrested for Shoplifting - Grand Theft (More than $750 but less than $5,000), Resisting an Officer Without Violence, and Use/Possession of Anti-Shoplifting Countermeasure Device. She is currently being held on $40,000 bond.