POLK COUNTY, Fla. – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced that on Friday, deputies arrested 12 adults and 3 juveniles accused of stealing food and drinks from the Wawa in Davenport on Old Lake Wilson Road. Investigators say all of the theft suspects had been staying at an Airbnb while visiting Polk County from other Florida counties.
“This is a classic case of people who came to our county, fooled around, and found out,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “Now they’re all facing charges because they found it perfectly acceptable to go into the Wawa, grab what they wanted, and consume it without paying for it.”
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Store employees called deputies after watching the group walk around the store, allegedly concealing bottled drinks and food inside their clothing. Deputies said they were told the suspects appeared to know each other and arrived in three vehicles — a BMW, a Tesla, and a Honda Accord.
According to the sheriff’s office, the suspects took turns going in and out of the store over about 15 minutes, with some eating and drinking the items before leaving. Employees also reported the group blocked clerks’ views to help others steal. When deputies arrived, the suspects were still in the parking lot preparing to leave.
Deputies recovered unconsumed items, collected empty bottles and packaging, and obtained surveillance video that reportedly shows the coordinated thefts. The stolen items included Calypso drinks, Brisk iced tea, a bag of Cheetos, and a ramen soup, valued at about $40. Authorities said all suspects admitted taking the items.
During the investigation, a 16th suspect — identified as Jayden Murphy, 18, from Pomona Park — was arrested after deputies said he interfered and repeatedly refused to move away.
Per investigators, Murphy was charged under Florida’s “Halo Law.”
Meanwhile, the list of retail theft suspects is as follows:
- Angel Quintero (19) — Winter Springs, FL
- Genaiya Saintira (18) — Hollywood, FL
- Valencia Saul (19) — Lantana, FL
- Pervaysia Laster (20) — Boynton Beach, FL
- Shenia Smith (19) — Parkland, FL
- Lillian Brown (19) — Hollywood, FL
- Sterllin Hyppolite (18) — Lauderdale Lakes, FL
- Davends Clerge (21) — Boynton Beach, FL
- Garvens Clerge (18) — Boynton Beach, FL
- Schneider Joseph (22) — Lantana, FL
- Richemond Seraphin (21) — Lantana, FL
- William Butler (18) — Lake Worth, FL
- Janeen Gonzalez (17 during arrest, now 18) — Palm Beach, FL