Williston woman accused of 17 separate shoplifting incidents at Target
Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dellana Amilya Sams, 24, of Williston, was arrested yesterday and charged with engaging in a scheme to defraud after a Target employee alleged that she had stolen over $1,500 in merchandise from the store in 17 separate incidents.
At about 2:30 p.m. on December 31, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Target (3970 SW Archer Road), where a Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) said Sams had selected merchandise totaling $99.13 and passed all points of sale without paying. The LPO stopped Sams and escorted her to the Loss Prevention office.
The LPO told the officer that Sams has previously been observed stealing various items totaling $1,524.01 on 16 separate dates, but employees were unable to detain her on those dates; the losses had not previously been reported to law enforcement.
Post Miranda, Sams reportedly admitted to stealing items on December 31 and admitted to committing 16 prior thefts. She reportedly said she was an unemployed single mom, but she also said she had the ability to pay for the items, but the checkout lines were long and she did not want to wait.
Sams has been charged with petit theft and engaging in a scheme to defraud. Her criminal history is unavailable because of the holiday, but her arrest report notes that she does not have any previous theft convictions. Judge Phillip Pena ordered her released on her own recognizance.
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.
“Judge Phillip Pena ordered her released on her own recognizance.”
Yippee! Anyone want to go shoplifting?
Likely at another big box store today
16 separate thefts. Seems serious. At least an overnight in the pokey.
Poor Target. Maybe they need door greeters like Walmart?
There’s your liberal, democRat judges at work. Letting another criminal free on their own recognizance. So they can do it again and again so the tax payers have to cover the cost or the store has to eat the cost and then raise prices. Hey judges do your job and hit them with high hail or keep them in Jail until trial. Damn blue county! Reason so much crime here.
Ok she needs some time behind bars as she has a serious problem. States she had the money but just didn’t want to wait in line to checkout….😮…..what makes her feel like she doesn’t need to wait in line just like we do. No we all have to pay higher prices due to people who steal.