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.