Homeless man arrested after allegedly announcing he was going to shoplift, then loading wheelchair with $450 in items from JC Penney

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Richard Vinnie Keller, 62, was arrested yesterday and charged with felony petit theft after allegedly announcing he was going to shoplift, then loading items on a wheelchair at JC Penney and walking out without paying.

At about 4:41 p.m. yesterday, Keller allegedly pushed a wheelchair into the store, then walked up to a staff member and said he was going to steal from the store. The staff member told the Loss Prevention Officer (LPO), who followed Keller around the store. The LPO told a Gainesville Police Department officer that he watched Keller place items in the wheelchair and then walk out of the store without paying for them. The LPO reportedly confronted Keller and brought him back into the Loss Prevention office to wait for police to arrive. The value of the items was $456.87.

Post Miranda, Keller reportedly said he did not want to speak to the officer, but he then said he stole the items and would do so again after he was released.

Keller, who is described as homeless in court documents, has nine felony convictions (none violent) and four misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He has two petit theft convictions in Alachua County in 2023, making this a third violation and a felony. He has a Notice to Appear pending in Sarasota County for stalking. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $10,000.

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. 

    • I used to sling snacks and sodas a while back to different prisons, I mentioned 3 hots and cot one time to a C O’S they said it’s more like 3 bag lunches and a cot these days. Maybe sad but true, maybe funny.

  • Going to be cold out for a few days. This is what some homeless do when they need somewhere warm to sleep. I have a homeless relative, I’ve learned a lot over the years from him…..and before anyone comments about helping him, we have tried SEVERAL times and we still do.

  • Must be a recent arrival to Gainesville… these dumbo’s will walk up to officers and say they want to kill themselves so they get Baker Acted when it gets cold outside.

    • I don’t hear much about Poe, Ward or any of the other liberal idiots offering up a cot or anything else.

  • One way bus ticket to California would be cheaper than repeat arrests, court/jail costs, etc.

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