Three arrested for stealing ammunition from Bass Pro Shops
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kouvaris Lamar Roberts, 19; Jordan Tyreek Welch, 19; and Demetrick Dion Williams, 19, were arrested early this morning for two separate incidents of ammunition theft from Bass Pro Shops on Friday, April 24; Roberts and Welch were on probation at the time.
On April 25, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to Bass Pro Shops (2650 Bass Pro Boulevard), where the Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) reported two incidents that had happened the previous day.
At about 4:30 p.m. on April 24, four individuals entered the store and went to the ammunition aisle, where one of them, later identified as Welch, picked up two boxes of Hornandy 9mm bullets, valued at $55.98. The four individuals left the aisle, and surveillance video reportedly showed Welch handing the boxes to Williams; Williams can be seen placing the boxes in his front pocket, while Welch moves to a position that helped conceal Williams’s movements. Welch and Williams can be seen walking past all points of sale and leaving the store without paying for the ammunition; a bulge can be seen in Welch’s front pants pocket, and his hand is placed over the bulge.
The LPO used facial recognition software to identify Welch and Williams, and the deputy independently confirmed their identities using law enforcement databases.
At about 6 p.m. on April 24, Roberts allegedly arrived at Bass Pro Shops in a red Honda, entered the store, walked to the ammunition aisle, and selected two boxes of S&W .40 cal Federal Syntech bullets, valued at $55.98. Surveillance video reportedly shows Roberts placing the boxes in his pockets after walking to another aisle, and then he can be seen leaving the store with a bulge in his front pocket.
The LPO used facial recognition software to identify Roberts, and the deputy independently confirmed his identity using law enforcement databases. The three men were arrested at their residences between 3:05 a.m. and 3:27 a.m. this morning.
Roberts has been charged with theft. He has one felony conviction, for unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon, and he is on probation in that case. Judge George Wright set bail at $5,000; Roberts has not yet been charged with violating probation.
Last June, Welch was arrested for attempted homicide after a suspected gang-related shooting at The Grove at Sweetwater Preserve. The attempted homicide charge was eventually dropped, and a formal charge of accessory after the fact to second-degree murder was filed. Welch entered a plea of nolo contendere to that charge, which carries a prison sentence of 15 years, according to the plea document, and Judge Robert Groeb withheld adjudication of guilt and sentenced Welch to 180 days in jail, with credit for 119 days served, followed by three years of probation.
Welch has been charged with theft. He has one felony conviction (described in the paragraph above) and is on probation in that case. Judge Wright set bail at $5,000; Welch has not yet been charged with violating probation.
Williams has been charged with theft. He has no criminal convictions; he was arrested last June on charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and trafficking in MDMA, but that case can no longer be found in the court system. Judge Wright set bail at $5,000.
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 bet they’re already walking the streets. Tune in for the next crime committed.
Good luck in prison Jordan. All you had to do was not commit crime. Its not hard. But you just couldnt help yourself.
Why is ammo on the shelves accessible to deliquents ? Behind the counter makes more sense if not locked up.
It’s own the shevls because honest people who don’t steal and feel entitled to steal, can look at it and buy it without having to bother the store personel I think your question would be better if you ask why two of these sorry bastards are still walking around and why would he let out on $5000 bond after they proved they don’t belong in society
So you want Bass pro to put hundreds of feet of shelves with ammo behind the counter???? Really, have you ever been in a Bass Pro shop. They literally have thousands of boxes of ammo.
Delinquents that be. Stay in school.
Well that makes sense how all the ammo is getting on the streets and yall just pointed it out Yeaa no one should still but why in each store like bass pro shop some Walmarts and rual king do yall leave the ammo just out hanging around not put up or anything just doesn’t make any sense to me …it’s no security on ammo but it’s all types of security on Guns and laws of guns and ammunition smh United States of America is a straight joke ….
just wana be thugs
Felons? Were their rights restored? Possession of the ammo should carry an additional charge.
Yes, it should possession by a convicted felon
“Welch entered a plea of nolo contendere to that charge, which carries a prison sentence of 15 years, according to the plea document, and Judge Robert Groeb withheld adjudication of guilt and sentenced Welch to 180 days in jail, with credit for 119 days served, followed by three years of probation.”
WTH is going on with these judges?
The good news is that Judge Robert Groeb has resigned ahead of his retirement.
https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/alachua-county-and-the-eighth-circuit-has-judicial-openings/
Who knows how much damage and suffering he inflicted upon society with his weak rulings before stepping down, however.
Judge Wright and whoever filed these charges should be charged for malfeasance in office. Filing misdemeanor theft charges and $5,000 bail is totally inappropriate. It should have been that plus felony charges for convicted felons in possession of guns or ammo and $50,000 bail. If the people of GNV and the county were really interested in stopping ‘gun violence’, they wouldn’t put up with this garbage.
Hang on. “Welch entered a plea of nolo contendere to that charge, which carries a prison sentence of 15 years, according to the plea document, and Judge Robert Groeb withheld adjudication of guilt and sentenced Welch to 180 days in jail, with credit for 119 days served, followed by three years of probation.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! He served FOUR MONTHS on a 15 YEAR sentence!! Hey, all you virtue signalers who want to end ‘gun violence’ (woke term) maybe you should demand that criminals actually serve their time instead of working to take away rights of law-abiding citizens!
The judicial response stinks…….the low bail stinks. On probation….the arrest record for attempted murder….This is a failure to protect their future victims.
All three need the cases forwarded to the US Attorney for proper prosecution snd prison time.