Convicted thief arrested for stealing over $700 in items from JC Penney

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Eric Wayne Davidson, 57, was arrested yesterday for allegedly stealing over $700 in merchandise from JC Penney in two incidents.

A Gainesville Police Department investigation found that Davidson went to JC Penney on April 19 and put two pairs of Nike shoes, valued at $195, in a backpack and then left the store without paying.

On May 9, Davidson allegedly entered JC Penney again and placed three pairs of shoes into a tote bag, along with multiple items of clothing; the merchandise was valued at $530. Store surveillance video reportedly showed Davidson leaving the store without paying for the merchandise; he was confronted by loss prevention associates, who recovered the merchandise and detained him.

Post Miranda, Davidson did not want to make any statements about either incident.

Davidson has been charged with two counts of petit theft with two or more prior convictions (a felony). He has nine felony convictions (one violent), seven misdemeanor convictions (one violent), and four criminal traffic convictions. He has served two state prison sentences out of Broward County, with his most recent release in 2003. He was arrested in Alachua County in 2025 for stealing over $900 in merchandise from Lowe’s and was sentenced to three months in jail after entering a plea of nolo contendere to the charge. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $20,000 on the new charges.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law