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State Law Enforcement Charges Two In Escambia Retail Theft Ring
February 6, 2022
Investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE) targeted organized retail theft rings in Escambia County as part of “Operation Secret Shopper,” leading to the arrests of two people.
OALE collaborated with a national retailer to identify several members of theft rings known to conceal Romex electrical wire rolls in shopping carts and pass all points of sale without paying for the items. The thieves are known to sell stolen wire directly to the public or to area metal recyclers.
Law enforcement investigators used direct surveillance techniques to observe Scott Hollingsworth and two other suspects steal wire rolls and lighting valued at $2,461.42 from a local retail store. Following day, OALE law enforcement investigators observed Patrick Callahan steal wire rolls and a rug valued at $1,006.56 from a local retail store.
Scott Mariane Hollingsworth, 39, was charged with felony grand theft, using or possessing the identification of another person, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Warrants are also being sought for Hollingsworth’s accomplices.
Patrick Michael Callahan, 62, was charged with felony grand theft, and possession of a controlled substance.
Both suspects remained in the Escambia County Jail Sunday morning.
Romex wire is electrical cable used to wire circuits for wall outlets, lights and more.
Comments
11 Responses to “State Law Enforcement Charges Two In Escambia Retail Theft Ring”
I’m sure those goof balls probably sell that stuff on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and others. Hopefully, OALE is looking into that too. Those places are a thieve’s paradise.
I agree that employees should be trained to be good witnesses, instead of risking their lives.
@Bewildered, I disagree with you that public opinion sides with thieves!!! I have absolutely have no qualms locking someone up for thievery!!! As a matter of fact, I support the way sharia law deals with thieves!!!
What’s so hard about having Contract Security in teams of 2 or more engaging the thieves with pepper spray, stun guns and PR-24 batons they’re certified on, owing to the fact that if the scumball perp forces the issue of thefting the merchandise through any store clerk/security it automatically escalates to long prison term Strong Arm Robbery in most jurisdictions anyway. Otherwise, this’ll continue with us suffering higher prices due corporate cowardice in not actively dealing with the problem.
Store employees don’t need to get stabbed or shot over “stuff”. Better to be a good witness. Get a tag and turn them in. Unfortunately, thieves have both primary and secondary victims. Once everything in the store is locked and out of reach due to theft, both the retailer and the customer suffer.
Store employees can’t be pro-active and get involved because public opinion sides with shop lifters and thieves. Not sure if the pendulum will ever again swing in the right direction… A woman won a $2 million settlement from Walmart for being embarrassed when she was arrested for shoplifting. her defense was that the self checkout was not ringing up items, so she had no choice but to leave with a cart full of merchandise.
REGARDING:
“These stores off no help at all.”
Juries award money to thieves injured by store employees so they turn it over to law enforcement.
.
They also jump on law enforcement officers if THEY injure thieves. But at least THEY are used to it by now:
“You killed him over a few dollars worth of wire.”
“No, I killed him because he tried to kill ME over a few dollars worth of wire.”
“I’m still suing and a jury will find in my favor or the city will settle.”
David for better people
@Donna, well you did more than the employees did, and that’s because both major home stores have a policy of don’t stop a thief, don’t question a thief and if you see anything just report it to the supervisor. These stores off no help at all.
Will Stop thievery!!! I’ve seen it first first hand ( no pun intended). Something needs to change, it would be nice if it was people, but they seem to need some incentives
REGARDING:
“The thieves are known to sell stolen wire directly to the public or to area metal recyclers.”
It is much harder to get away with crimes when people already know that you tend to commit them.
They might want to find some other way to make livings when next given the chance.
Reason, partly, that OUR prices are so HIGH in all stores is because of THIEVES stealing inventory.
I was at lowes when a young man not either of these walked out the garden dept with a large roll of electrical wire pushing the lady working the register out of his way
Me and another lady were able to get his tag number Hope he was arrested too
Hate a thief!