Man on probation arrested for series of fraudulent merchandise returns
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jourdan Chasse Johnson, 41, was arrested Monday night for allegedly purchasing items from Best Buy and then returning them for a refund after removing the items from their boxes and replacing them with random items.
A Best Buy manager reported to a Gainesville Police Department officer that between April 25 and May 23, 2026, Johnson purchased a radar detector ($799.99), a drone ($1599.00), a 360-degree camera ($630), another 360-degree camera ($464.99), and a laptop case ($104.95), for a total of $3,598.93.
Johnson allegedly took the items from their boxes, placed materials like wooden planks, clothes, or other random items in the boxes, and resealed the boxes before returning the items for refunds. The manager reportedly provided video and photographic evidence of the transactions, along with receipts for the purchases and refunds.
Post Miranda, Johnson reportedly said he had purchased items and then returned them in their original packages.
Johnson has been charged with engaging in a scheme to defraud under $20,000. He is on probation in another state (unspecified) on charges related to drugs and trafficking in stolen property, but he is being supervised in Gainesville. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $25,000 and ordered a mental health evaluation.
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.
Not being supervised good enough i guess.
Poor BB, I wonder how much longer they will keep brick & mortar stores?
Here is your mental health evaluation, Judge. The guy is a cold, calculated thief. He doesn’t regret what he did, he regrets getting caught.
Drug users need money for drugs. Remarkably poor treatment options available for helping people kick drug habits. Sad. I will pray for this man. He’s gonna need it.
There are plenty of options, you have to actually want to quit. I don’t say this out of malice, Its 100% the truth, no one else can make you quit any vice but your own darn self.