Two Florida corrections officers are facing multiple grand theft charges after investigators accused them of stealing more than $3,000 worth of merchandise from Walmart stores during an alleged three-week theft spree across Bay County.
Kaitlyn Thomas, 32, and Shaun Smith, 20, are accused of taking LEGO sets, Magic: The Gathering trading cards and other merchandise from Walmart locations in Callaway, Panama City and Lynn Haven.
The case took a turn after investigators used a license plate reader system to track a white Hyundai Sonata allegedly connected to the theft.
Walmart theft report leads deputies to white Hyundai
According to authorities, the investigation intensified on August 17, when deputies responded to the Walmart in Callaway following a reported theft. Investigators learned that the suspects had allegedly left the store in a white Hyundai Sonata. Deputies then used Flock license plate recognition technology to help locate the vehicle.
A deputy spotted the Sonata traveling on Highway 77 near Highway 388 and conducted a traffic stop. According to the Bay County Sheriff's Office, store surveillance footage later helped investigators connect Thomas and Smith to the reported theft.
Investigators say pair admitted to visiting multiple Walmart stores
After the suspects were detained, investigators say Thomas told them that she and Smith had been traveling to Bay County for about three weeks. During that period, they allegedly visited Walmart locations in Callaway, Panama City and Lynn Haven.
Investigators say Thomas told authorities that the pair had been stealing Magic: The Gathering cards and LEGO sets from the stores. The allegations prompted investigators to examine whether merchandise recovered from the vehicle could be connected to theft reports at multiple Walmart locations.
Search of Hyundai allegedly uncovers $3,000 in merchandise
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the white Hyundai Sonata. During the search, deputies said they found more than $3,000 worth of allegedly stolen merchandise inside the vehicle.
Authorities determined that some of the items did not come from the Callaway Walmart. That finding allegedly strengthened the investigation into similar incidents reported at other stores in Bay County.
Investigators were then able to compare the recovered merchandise with store surveillance footage and reports from Walmart locations in Callaway, Panama City and Lynn Haven.
Two Florida corrections officers face grand theft charges
Thomas and Smith were arrested and face multiple counts of grand theft, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office. The investigation involved cooperation between the Bay County Sheriff's Office, Lynn Haven Police Department and Panama City Police Department as authorities examined the alleged thefts across different jurisdictions.
The case could lead to additional charges as investigators continue reviewing the evidence. Both suspects were identified by authorities as Florida state correctional officers at the time of their arrests.
Flock camera technology becomes key part of investigation
The use of Flock license plate recognition technology played an important role in helping deputies locate the vehicle allegedly used by the suspects.
What began as a report of merchandise being stolen from one Walmart ultimately developed into a wider investigation involving several stores, surveillance footage, a vehicle search and thousands of dollars in recovered merchandise.
The accusations against Thomas and Smith have not been proven in court, and they are presumed innocent unless convicted.
