52 Thefts in Jacksonville Retail Stores leads to the Arrest of Four People in Jacksonville.
A recent News4Jax story shed light on a theft ring operating in Jacksonville Florida over the past two years. The individuals targeted Lowes and Home Depot home improvement stores from 2017 to 2019. The four would specifically steal high end power tools from the businesses. The news report states the total loss for the retails stores is in excess of $83,000.00. Currently arrested are Nicole Arnette, Samantha Cowles, Brian Hudson, and Keith Wright.
A review of the court files gives details into the investigation and charges that each individual faces. The investigation was run by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and appears will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Statewide Prosecution Unit. All of the police reports have yet to be released by Florida’s Public Records law.
Nicole Arnette is currently charged with Conspiracy to Violate Rico Laws (First Degree Felony), 25 Counts of Grand Theft (Third Degree Felony) and one count of Petit Theft (First Degree Misdemeanor). Arnette also has a second case with two charges of Petit Theft.
Samantha Cowles is currently charged with Dealing in Stolen Property and Petit Theft.
Brian Hudson is currently charged with Conspiracy to Violate Rico Laws (First Degree Felony), 55 Counts of Grand Theft (Third Degree Felony) and three counts of Petit Theft (First Degree Misdemeanor).
Keith Wright is charged with 55 Counts of Grand Theft (Third Degree Felony) and three counts of Petit Theft (First Degree Misdemeanor).
The Investigation
In the limited amount of released police reports it is clear this was a long term investigation conducted by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. In the arrest of Samantha Cowles law enforcement conducted surveillance of Hudson who drove to Cowles house to pick her up. The two then drove directly to a Home Depot in the Regency area. At this time Cowles entered the business, walked to the tool section and stole a power tool battery valued at $258.00 and exited without paying for the item. Cowles was captured on security surveillance stealing the item.
After Cowles exited the store, she got back into the car with Hudson. The two then drove to a Popeyes parking lot and met with an unidentified male and exchanged the battery for an undetermined amount of currency. Once the transaction was completed, Hudson and Cowles left the parking lot together. JSO kept surveillance on the two during this entire time.
The detective in the case sought a warrant for the above crime involving Cowles. She received a bond amount of $15,003.00 for the Dealing in Stolen Property and $1,003.00 for the Petit Theft. Cowles was arrested on the warrant on June 19, 2019. A current check of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Inmate Search shows that Cowles has not bonded out. Continue reading